The Goa government plans to significantly reduce the deposit on products covered under the Deposit Refund System (DRS) following concerns raised by traders and distributors. The government has proposed lowering the deposit on non-liquor items to Rs 1-2 from the existing Rs 5-10.
Revised Deposit Rates for Liquor and Non-Liquor Items
For liquor products, the deposit will be set between Rs 2 and Rs 10. Additionally, the agency responsible for collecting the products will charge manufacturing companies between Rs 10 and Rs 12 per tonne to collect DRS-eligible items.
Implementation on Hold Due to Opposition
A senior government officer stated that the state government has put a system in place to implement the DRS in Goa. However, due to opposition from traders and distributors, the government has kept the implementation on hold. "The state government will soon decide on the date to implement the scheme," the officer said.
Environmental Benefits of DRS
The implementation of DRS is expected to protect the environment, reduce the load on oceans and forest ecosystems, and result in cleaner beaches. Under the DRS, anyone purchasing a non-biodegradable product in the state must pay a fee, which is refunded when the consumer returns the product packaging at a collection point.
DRS-eligible products currently include glass bottles, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles. "Consumers can identify these containers through a unique QR code and DRS logo printed on their packaging. However, more categories will be added as the scheme moves forward," the officer added.
Impact on Tourism and Recycling Industry
Goa receives nearly 10 times its population in tourists annually, putting a strain on municipal cleaning efforts. The DRS is expected to strengthen the existing collection and processing ecosystem. "DRS puts the onus on all polluters, whether locals or tourists. The system will develop the recycling industry in the state, create green jobs, and add to the local economy," the officer said.
"The ease with which a consumer buys a product should be matched by the ease of returning the empty container. DRS enables seamless collection of post-consumer products by incentivizing consumers," the officer concluded.
