DRS demo at Cashew Fest signals push to curb litter, boost recycling

NT Reporter
Panaji
A demonstration of the Goa government’s Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), aimed at reducing litter and improving waste collection, was held at the Cashew Fest venue in Panaji on Friday, with representatives saying the scheme will soon be implemented in the state.
Senior director marketing, System Operator Goa DRS, Chetan Baregar said the scheme seeks to change public behaviour by attaching a refundable deposit to plastic, metal and glass packaging, encouraging people to return used items instead of discarding them.
“Anything that does not have value gets littered. You see it on beaches, in public spaces, and even in water bodies,” Baregar said, adding that by assigning value to packaging motivates people to return items.
He said the system would also benefit the informal sector. “Today, the informal sector collects waste but gets very minimal value. With DRS, every packet becomes valuable,”
he said.
The scheme revives an earlier bottle-return system but uses machines and digital payments. Returns can be made at multiple locations across Goa.
Aziz Jamada, from the DRS team, said the system will include Reverse Vending Machines and handheld devices, with around 300 machines planned in the first phase, increasing to 500.
He said these will be installed in public locations.
He said shops can act as collection partners. The scheme will also include doorstep collection, and partnerships with local agencies to improve waste management.