Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Deposit Refund Scheme (Goa DRS) marked a key milestone on World Environment Day 2026 with the inauguration of its first Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) at INS Mandovi, Verem, signalling the beginning of on-ground implementation of the circular economy initiative within a defence establishment.
The installation, developed in partnership with Prakriti, the Indian Navy’s environmental wing at INS Mandovi, was formally inaugurated during a special programme attended by naval personnel and their families, who were also given a live demonstration of the system.
Speaking on the occasion, Shefali Nair, President of the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA), said the naval community could play a strong role in promoting the initiative, highlighting that the Goa DRS is built around a “green loop” where waste is transformed into a resource rather than discarded.
She emphasised that responsible daily habits are central to environmental change, adding that the initiative links individual actions to broader ecological benefits, including marine protection and sustainable living practices.
The INS Mandovi launch formed part of a broader series of World Environment Day programmes across Goa, including a parallel demonstration of RVM units at the KTC Bus Stand in Panaji, where Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant attended as chief guest along with ministers, MLAs, and senior officials.
Officials said the live demonstrations helped showcase the functioning of the deposit refund system to both dignitaries and the public, reinforcing awareness of recycling practices and waste segregation.
The Goa DRS initiative is steadily expanding across the State, with 132 village panchayats and six urban and local bodies already issuing NOCs for installation of Reverse Vending Machines. Authorities said the rollout reflects the transition of the scheme from awareness-building to implementation, aimed at strengthening Goa’s circular economy framework for beverage packaging waste.
