Abdul Wahab Khan
Panaji
Goa’s pioneering Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), set to be India’s first comprehensive system for non-biodegradable packaging, is moving closer to launch with a targeted implementation date of April 2026.
Following extensive pre-bid consultations with industry stakeholders, the state has refined its plans for a robust infrastructure and practical rollout. The scheme aims to install at least 300 automated collection machines across the state initially—one in each panchayat and C-class urban local body, and five in A- and B-class municipalities.
The rollout will also include up to 150 manual collection points and 25 manual points specifically for oversized containers in high-density areas. A key
feature is the formal integration of the informal waste collection sector into the DRS ecosystem.
Within three years, the infrastructure will expand to 400 machines, eventually reaching 500 across Goa.
The tender process began on September 18, 2024, led by the Goa Coastal and Environment Management Society (GC\&EMS), the scheme’s designated administrator. An initial pre-bid meeting in October 2024 kickstarted consultations, followed by a series of individual meetings with stakeholders to address concerns and optimise implementation strategies.
Incorporating valuable feedback, the DRS Committee substantially revised the tender specifications. The tender was reissued on April 17, 2025, followed by a second pre-bid meeting on April 24 and a further consultation on April 25 involving key system operators such as Tomra Systems, The Kabadiwala, Endlos Innovations, Recykal, and Gem Enviro Management.
Chaired by Dr Anthony de Sa, former Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, these sessions tackled critical challenges, including requests for extended bid submission deadlines and rollout timelines. Tomra
Systems, for instance, requested a 90-day bid extension and an 18-month rollout period, citing technical issues with printing unique serialised identifiers on glass and metal packaging.
The company also proposed that unredeemed
deposits be treated as income for system operators and recommended a two-year validity for unique
serial identifiers.
Other stakeholders offered varied perspectives: Recykal supported the timeline but suggested laser printing and phased implementation with 12-15 month validity for identifiers; The Kabadiwala proposed a rapid deployment of 100 machines within nine months and over 500 within the following three months; Endlos Innovations and Gem Enviro requested longer bid submission windows and rollout periods of 12 and 15 months, respectively.
Following these consultations, a revised Expression of Interest was published
on May 5, 2025, with bid submissions open from May 19 to May 30. Technical and
financial bids have been evaluated, and the appointment of a system operator is currently underway as Goa prepares to lead the nation in responsible packaging waste management.
