Staff Reporter
Panaji
In a major move towards promoting recycling and reducing plastic and metal waste, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) is planning to launch a buyback scheme called ‘Digital Deposit Refund System’ to incentivise the consumers to return their waste plastic PET bottles, metal cans, and glass bottles for recycling.
The board is planning to roll out a buyback scheme in association with Recykal, a tech disruptor accelerating circularity organization in India, which has successfully launched the initiative in Kedarnath in Uttarakhand and is in the pipeline for seven other states.
The proposed ‘Digital Deposit Refund System’ will require manufacturers and stockists to affix a unique QR code on each bottle or can, besides charging a refundable deposit of `10 at the time of purchase. Once the consumers return the used bottles or cans to the retailer or designated collection points, they will be eligible for a full refund of their deposit.
According to GSPCB officials, the board is currently working closely with Recykal to formulate the necessary guidelines for collection and is expected to submit them to the government for approval and final implementation.
As part of the process, an escrow account will be opened jointly by the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the Goa Waste Management Corporation to facilitate deposit and refund transactions.
“The concept of a deposit refund system is not new to Goa, but this time we aim to introduce a digital approach in collaboration with Recykal. We are actively exploring options to designate material recovery facilities, petrol stations of Indian Oil company, as well as restaurants and cafes as authorised collection points,” said Mahesh Patil, chairman of GSPCB.
While the ‘Digital Deposit Refund System’ has not been officially launched yet, the GSPCB draws inspiration from the success of a similar initiative along the Kedarnath pilgrimage trek in Uttarakhand. In that region, tourists and pilgrims pay an additional `10 when purchasing products with plastic packaging and receive a refund upon returning the plastic bottles to a designated deposit refund centre set up by Recykal.
The primary objective of the ‘Digital Deposit Refund System’ is to encourage consumers to return their packaging to the shop or collection points, thereby reducing litter and increasing recycling rates.
The scheme places the responsibility of collecting plastic waste on the manufacturers, in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which made recycling a mandatory requirement for obtaining manufacturing licences.
With an estimated consumption of 2 billion glass and can drink bottles annually, Goa faces a challenge in terms of limited glass recycling facilities and improper disposal of glass waste.
However, through the implementation of this initiative, it is expected that 85% of recyclable material will be recovered, significantly improving the recycling landscape in the state.