Football and sustainability came together at Fatorda’s Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, as the football club’s supporters experienced live demonstrations of the Goa Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) at the stadium during a recent match between FC Goa and Mohun Bagan. As part of a partnership between FC Goa and Goa DRS, a dedicated experience zone was set up at the stadium to encourage responsible waste disposal and build awareness around Goa’s upcoming Deposit Refund Scheme, which is scheduled to be rolled out in the state.
The initiative focussed on promoting behavioural change and advancing the shared vision of a cleaner, litter-free Goa through responsible disposal of used packaging, a healthy civic practice that can also help keep sports stadiums litter-free. Fans visiting the DRS zone were introduced to the working of Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), where they could scan eligible packaging and instantly receive refunds through UPI.
Goa’s popular footballers also experienced live demonstrations of the waste disposal technology. The live demonstrations drew strong participation from football fans and visitors attending the match. Many interacted directly with the RVMs and learned how the refundable deposit system works.
Shubham Odarkar, a football fan from Margao, who attended the demonstration, said the initiative would help discourage littering by encouraging people to return packaging instead of discarding them. Rajdeep Desai from Ponda who attended the match, described the system as a “wonderful initiative” that would help keep Goa clean while rewarding responsible disposal. Commander Harminder Singh of the Indian Navy also appreciated the effort, calling it “wonderful work” towards improving civic sense and cleanliness.
Under Goa’s Deposit Refund Scheme, consumers will pay a small refundable deposit at the time of purchase, which will be returned in full when eligible packaging such as PET bottles, glass bottles, aluminium cans and multi-layered packaging is brought back to an authorised collection point. The initiative aims to improve recycling outcomes, reduce litter and strengthen waste recovery systems across Goa.
Goa DRS has been conducting outreach drives and live demonstrations across the state, including at village panchayats in Nadora, Assolna, Sal, Anjuna, Loliem Polem, Agonda and Tivrem-Orgao, alongside public events and festivals in the state, to familiarise residents with the system ahead of its phased rollout.
