Panaji: With Sept 1 approaching as the rollout date for the Goa Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), on-ground infrastructure and civic groundwork are falling into place with 69 machines in North Goa and 31 machines in South Goa already installed.These reverse vending machines (RVMs) form the backbone of a collection network that enables consumers to return empty bottles and cans and get a refund instantly. Machines are being rolled out progressively across public areas and high-footfall community spaces, with each activation paired with on-ground awareness drives to familiarise residents and tourists with the mechanics of the scheme, said DRS officials.“What we are seeing today is the result of sustained coordination between the authority, local governance bodies and industry. With our collection network in place and panchayats and urban local bodies firmly on board, Goa is on track to set a benchmark for how a state can operationalise a deposit refund system at speed and at scale,” said Anthony de Sa, chairman of the DRS Authority.The machines have been installed at Candolim Bandh, Sakhali Fort, Anjuna panchayat, Morjim panchayat, Vishal Mega Mart in Chicalim, Agonda Panchayat, Cola panchayat, near Mangeshi Temple at Veling Priol, Bogmalo beach, and Salvador-do-Mundo panchayat. With these additions, a total of 100 RVMs have been installed across the state ahead of the scheme’s rollout, officials said.The scheme has also secured support from 150 panchayats and eight urban local bodies (ULBs). The issuance of no objection certificates (NOCs) by local governing bodies paves the way for installation of the machines and collection operations within their jurisdictions.Panchayat representatives said that interest in the scheme is visible on the ground.“The scheme will encourage people to return used glass bottles, plastic bottles, and cans for recycling while receiving a refund. Similar systems have worked well in other countries. This scheme will help us reduce waste,” said Nagoa-Verna village panchayat sarpanch Gabriel Fernandes.Close to 1,000 hotels, restaurants, and major liquor manufacturers and suppliers across Goa have been onboarded.To aid in the rollout, the authorities are conducting demonstrations, stakeholder engagement sessions, and public awareness campaigns across the state.
