Hotels, restaurants and cafés (HoReCa) across Goa will soon be able to schedule the collection of used alcohol bottles and beverage containers under the state’s Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS). The refundable deposits will be credited instantly through a fully digital verification and payment process under the scheme. The app first collection system is being introduced as part of the first phase of the Goa DRS which is designed to simplify packaging recovery for the hospitality industry while strengthening the state’s circular economy.
More than 1,400 HoReCa partners and participating brands have already been onboarded ahead of the September 1 rollout.
Using the Bulk Waste Generator App, Goa based HoReCa establishments can schedule pickups based on the volume of empty packaging generated. Empty alcohol packaging will be scanned at the time of collection, with refunds processed instantly through digital payment modes. The entire collection details can be easily accessed on the app. The collected packaging from HoReCa collection will be further transported to designated Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), where it is further sorted into reuse and recycling streams. Reusable bottles are returned to participating brands wherever possible, while the remaining material is processed and sent to authorised recyclers, supporting Goa’s circular economy objectives.
Commenting on the rollout, Chairman of the Goa DRS Authority, Dr Anthony de Sa, Government of Goa, said, “The first phase has been designed to ensure that both consumers and the hospitality sector have simple and convenient return options. With scheduled bulk pickup for HoReCa establishments, we are creating a collection system that is practical, transparent and capable of recovering significantly higher volumes of packaging. This phased approach will ensure a smooth transition while strengthening Goa’s waste recovery ecosystem.”
For consumers, DRS-enabled bottles and containers can be returned through an expanding network of Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) being deployed across the state. More than 100 RVMs have already been installed across Goa ahead of the scheme going live on September 1. Additional return options include authorised collection centres and collection at partnered retail outlets. The refundable deposit, charged separately from the product’s Maximum Retail Price (MRP), is returned in full once the packaging is scanned and verified using its unique DRS QR code. The digital verification process ensures secure refunds while preventing fraud.
Ahead of the formal rollout, Goa DRS team has been conducting demonstrations and public awareness programmes across the state. The initiative has already secured widespread support from local bodies, with 157 village panchayats and nine Urban Local Bodies issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for RVM installations. The first Reverse Vending Machine under the scheme was recently inaugurated at INS Mandovi, marking another milestone as Goa prepares to implement one of India’s most comprehensive Deposit Refund Schemes.
