Kerala State Beverages Corporation to Introduce Bottle Return System for Liquor Bottles

The Kerala State Beverages Corporation Limited (Bevco) plans to introduce bottle bins in front of Bevco outlets for safe disposal and recycling of used liquor bottles. Every month, Bevco sells around 6 crore bottles, with a considerable number discarded in public spaces. A small refund amount is being considered for those who return the bottles. The pilot project will be launched in Thiruvananthapuram city and Kannur rural, with plans to expand to other areas.

Kerala State Beverages Corporation Limited (Bevco) is set to introduce a pioneering bottle return system for used liquor bottles, aimed at addressing the issue of waste management and promoting recycling. The initiative, which will initially be a pilot project in Thiruvananthapuram city and Kannur rural, aims to collect and recycle plastic bottles, which constitute almost 75% of the liquor bottles sold by Bevco.

According to Harshita Attaluri, Chairperson and Managing Director of Bevco, the project is in its preliminary stages and involves collaboration with the Kerala State Suchitwa Mission and the Clean Kerala Company. The bottle bins will be placed in front of Bevco outlets and cleared periodically by the Clean Kerala company [1].

The project aims to tackle the significant problem of liquor bottles being discarded in public spaces, often clogging drains and canals. Bevco estimates that around 6 crore bottles are sold monthly in the state, with a considerable number ending up in public spaces [1].

In the first phase, only plastic bottles will be collected. Glass bottles, which require a different system of collection and recycling, will be addressed in later phases. A small refund amount is being considered for those who return the bottles, providing an incentive for tipplers to ensure the safe disposal and recycling of these bottles.

The pilot project will help Bevco understand the logistics of the bottle return system in both urban and rural settings. If successful, the initiative could be expanded to other areas, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable Kerala.

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tipplers-can-soon-return-used-liquor-bottles-to-bevcos-bottle-bins/article69807293.ece