Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The rollout of Goa’s Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) has gained significant momentum, with 127 of the state’s 191 village panchayats and four Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the installation of Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and collection infrastructure.
The development comes as 300 Reverse Vending Machines have arrived in Goa ahead of the implementation of the state-led waste recovery initiative.
According to officials, the strong response from local bodies reflects growing grassroots support for the DRS, which aims to create an innovative and sustainable waste disposal system across the state. The momentum follows extensive public awareness programmes announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the Budget Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly earlier this year.
The response has been encouraging across both districts. In North Goa, 73 of 121 village panchayats, or nearly 60 per cent, have issued NOCs. In South Goa, 54 of 70 village panchayats, or around 77 per cent, have extended their support. The participation spans coastal, hinterland and urban-influenced regions, indicating broad acceptance of the initiative.
Vishwajya Vishwanath Haldankar, Sarpanch of Nadora Village Panchayat, welcomed the initiative and urged residents to actively participate in keeping their villages clean through responsible disposal and recycling practices.
Support has also come from urban local bodies, which view the DRS as a practical solution that can reduce the burden of waste management while encouraging responsible disposal habits. The NOCs will facilitate the installation of reverse vending machines and manual collection centres at designated locations.
With approvals in place, the next phase of the rollout has begun. Authorities are currently identifying suitable locations for RVMs and collection points to ensure convenient public access. Public awareness campaigns and live demonstrations have already been conducted in panchayats across Bicholim, Canacona and Bardez to familiarise residents with the return and refund process.
Assolna Sarpanch Isaca Fernandes also expressed support for the initiative, describing it as an important step towards cleaner and more responsible waste management.
Savitri Sajaro Ghadi, Sarpanch of Sal in Bicholim, highlighted the practical benefits of the system, stating that the machines would help curb indiscriminate littering while providing residents with refunds for returned containers.
Anchored by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Goa, the DRS introduces a fully refundable deposit on PET bottles, glass bottles, aluminium cans and multi-layered packaging (MLP). Goa’s model was recently highlighted before NITI Aayog as a pioneering initiative, making the state the first in India and the first jurisdiction globally to include MLP under a DRS framework.
The scheme is backed by amendments to the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 2013, and the DRS Rules notified in 2024, providing the legal and operational framework for statewide implementation.
