Bevco Expands Plastic Bottle Buy-Back Scheme Across Kerala

Quick Summary

• Kerala has among the highest per capita alcohol consumption rates in India, contributing significantly to plastic pollution through discarded liquor bottles.
• Discarded plastic liquor bottles clog drains, pollute waterbodies, harm marine ecosystems, and impact the livelihoods of lakhs of fishers.
• Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco), the state-run liquor retail monopoly, retails around 30 lakh bottles monthly; 80% are low-cost plastic-packaged liquor.
• as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives:

– bevco launched a pilot plastic bottle buy-back scheme that will be expanded statewide.
– A ₹20 deposit will be charged per bottle; refunds or discounts will be given upon returning used bottles at designated outlets. QR codes on bottles ensure tracking for refunds.
– kudumbashree mission and Clean Kerala Company will facilitate operations such as collection points and recycling connections.

• Used bottles will be sold to recyclers or distilleries for reuse. Bevco outlets have stopped wrapping liquor in old newspapers; consumers need to bring reusable bags or buy biodegradable ones available at stores.
• Bevco plans modernized outlets with gender-friendly spaces, parking facilities, and retail units integrated into shopping malls as part of its long-term strategy.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The introduction of Bevco’s statewide buy-back initiative marks an vital step towards addressing Kerala’s acute challenge with plastic waste stemming from disposable liquor packaging.The collaboration with Kudumbashree aligns environmental cleanup efforts with local community participation-a move that may bolster grassroots engagement while providing recycling benefits via structured partnerships.

the financial incentives tied to bottle returns add practical value but might require broader public awareness campaigns for effective adoption among consumers accustomed to single-use habits. Additionally, transitioning state-owned retail infrastructure into sleek consumer-friendly spaces could reflect a shift toward brand modernization while simultaneously broadening market access.

while the initiative tackles some key sustainability issues surrounding alcohol consumption in Kerala-including pollution control and resource management-the real test lies in scaling effectively across regions prone to inconsistent waste management practices without imposing excessive operational burdens on civic systems.

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