The state of Goa will introduce a statewide Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) as of April 1, which will help to minimize non-biodegradable waste types by means of returning plastic, glass and metal packaging, the officials have stated. The project will embrace a large variety of consumer goods and will be implemented in stages within the state.
Within the scheme, the consumers will be asked to deposit a small deposable amount on top of the maximum retail price of the product. Deposit amount will vary between 2 to 10 r.h.s depending on the product and packaging. A deposit of 5 rupees will be imposed on most of the packaged items whereas a higher deposit of 10 rupees will be imposed on the liquor bottles. The default deposit on products that will cost less than 20 INR will be 2 INR. The amount can be reclaimed by the consumers by giving the empty bottles or packaging at the specific collection centres and putting them in deposit machines.
When it comes to the process acting, Anthony de Sa, retired bureaucrat, who leads the state scheme administrative committee, told us that everything sold in Goa after April 1, 2026, in non-biodegradable packaging like plastic, aluminium, glass or multilayered plastic will be covered by the DRS. He further stated that the plan is aimed at encouraging responsible consumer behaviour and capture the systematic collection of waste.
The DRS was prepared more than two years before. In August 2023, the government of Goa repealed the Goa Non-biodegradable Garbage Control Act, 1996 and made a clear differentiation between the responsibilities of the Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) and the statutory duty to collect and dispose of their packaging in an environmentally friendly manner.
The Goa government in turn advised the Goa DRS Rules under the amendment on August 16, 2024. These regulations provide the operational framework, roles of the stakeholders, financial schemes and financial compliance. The scheme now includes glass and metal, rigid and flexible plastics, laminated liquid cartons and multilayered plastics and there is a possibility of more categories to include in the future.
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