Bevco to Launch Bottle Return Bins for Used Liquor Bottles

Rapid Summary

• The Kerala State Beverages Corporation Limited (Bevco) is planning to introduce bottle bins in front of its outlets for recycling used liquor bottles.
• A small refund amount is being considered as an incentive for customers who return the bottles.
• Bevco estimates monthly sales of around 6 crore liquor bottles in Kerala, with many discarded improperly in public spaces, clogging drains and canals.
• Preliminary discussions for the initiative are underway with partners such as the Kerala State suchitwa Mission and Clean Kerala Company.
• A pilot project will be launched in Thiruvananthapuram city and Kannur rural areas to test bottle collection systems in urban and rural settings.
• In the project’s initial phase, only plastic bottles will be collected; glass bottle recycling initiatives may follow later phases.

Indian Opinion Analysis
Bevco’s proposed bottle recycling initiative reflects a proactive step towards addressing environmental concerns created by improperly discarded liquor bottles across Kerala’s urban and rural landscapes. with approximately 75% of sales involving plastic containers, segregating waste at its source through dedicated bins can reduce pollution substantially if implemented effectively alongside consistent periodic clearance systems. The inclusion of refund incentives aligns well with global practices to encourage consumer participation.

Launching pilot projects in contrasting environments-urban Thiruvananthapuram city versus rural Kannur-positions Bevco strategically to assess practical hurdles before broader implementation statewide. While focusing initially on plastic seems pragmatic given logistical challenges with glass recycling, expanding operations over time may offer comprehensive solutions.

Broad stakeholder collaboration involving local self-goverment bodies highlights efforts toward sustainable community engagement while tackling solid waste management-a growing concern across India’s states.For further reading: The Hindu article