Goa is set to roll out a new Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) on September 1, 2026. Once rolled out, it will mark one of India’s most comprehensive attempts at creating a circular economy for beverage packaging. Let’s take a look at how Goa aims to roll out this Deposit Refund Scheme that can change the way beverage packaging is treated in Goa.
In a notification, Sachin S. Desai, Member and Convenor of Goa Deposit Refund Scheme said that “All producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs) dealing in liquor products shall obtain registration under Deposit Refund Scheme on or before 31st July 2026, as a mandatory precondition for placing such products in the market with effect from 1st September 2026.”
The first phase of the rollout will focus on packaging materials that already possess intrinsic recycling value. This includes PET beverage bottles, beer bottles, and metal cans. Along with these materials, glass bottles will also be a part of the initial rollout. This commitment to recycling packaging products reflects Goa’s priority of addressing the litter problem on beaches.
Subsequent phases will gradually include lower-value packaging such as juice cartons, chocolate wrappers, and snack packets.
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The Deposit Refund Scheme, set to be implemented from September 1, 2026, seeks to transform the way waste is handled by consumers, manufacturers, retailers, and waste collectors. The scheme will attach a refundable monetary value to every eligible container sold in the state.
How this scheme will work is quite simple. Consumers purchasing products in eligible packaging will pay a small refundable deposit. This can be anywhere between INR 5 to INR 10 depending on the product. This amount is returned when the empty container is brought back to an authorized collection point.
The returned packaging is then digitally verified through QR-based traceability before refund is electronically issued through UPI or directly into institutional bank accounts.
By deploying a financial incentive to return the used packaging, the scheme aims to dramatically improve collection rates, reduce litter, and ensure that valuable recyclable materials don’t end up in landfills or water bodies.
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Manufacturers, importers, and brand owners introducing eligible packaged products into Goa have considerably larger compliance obligations.
First of all, registration with the Scheme Administrator is mandatory for every producer, importer, and brand owner whose products fall within the state. Companies must first identify which SKUs and pack sizes are covered, prepare their internal systems and packaging supply chains, and register their organizations, facilities, and products within the scheme.
Manufacturers must also incorporate the approved QR code on every packaging sold in Goa. They will also be responsible for ongoing compliance through payment of deposits, Reverse Collection Fees (RCF), and periodic reporting requirements.
In a move towards reducing litter and promoting recycling, the Goa government is set to introduce a Deposit Refund Scheme for liquor bottles & cans from September 1, 2026. With an INR 5 to INR 10 refund incentive, the Deposit Refund Scheme might just be a positive step towards creating a circular economy for beverage packaging.
