Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) are a very important step for boosting recycling rates, reducing litter and moving towards a circular economy. Government around the world is taking up actions to promote DRS. In a recent stint, the Goa State Government has announced plans to appoint a dedicated ‘system operator’ to oversee the implementation of the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS)for non-biodegradable materials like aluminium cans and glass.
“A mechanism to compensate urban local bodies (ULBs), panchayats, and private entities for the usage of space and/or assisting waste collection can be mutually agreed upon between the system operator and ULBs/panchayats/waste collectors,” a senior officer said.
Under this scheme, consumers purchasing products with non-biodegradable packaging will be required to pay a small additional deposit. This deposit will be fully refunded once the packaging is returned to a designated collection point.
The initiative is designed to protect the environment, ease the burden on oceans and forest ecosystems, and promote cleaner beaches. The appointed system operator will be tasked with establishing an efficient, user-friendly, and easily accessible network of collection points across the state.
How this initiative will be carried out
On Friday, the state government issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to select a system operator to implement the Deposit Refund Scheme. The chosen operator will be responsible for developing and executing the scheme over an initial term of 10 years. This period may be extended by an additional five years, contingent upon successful implementation and the achievement of the scheme’s objectives.
The system operator will be responsible for establishing guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and providing necessary training to onboard local shops, businesses, and volunteer organisations as collection points within the designated areas.
The informal sector linked to the respective material recovery facilities (MRFs) should be actively encouraged to align with and integrate into the operations of the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS). The state government's objective is to ensure that the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) becomes financially self-sustaining.
Its primary aim is to significantly improve the collection of post-consumer packaging waste. With Goa welcoming tourists nearly ten times its population, the resulting strain on municipal waste management systems is considerable. The DRS is expected to reinforce and enhance the existing collection and processing infrastructure, helping to ease this burden.
Responses
