Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) has floated tenders to select an agency to implement the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) and to set up automatic bottle collection facilities at Bevco outlets. The company supplies nearly 54 million bottles of liquor to consumers. As a result, a significant amount of bottle waste accumulates, posing a serious threat to the environment.
To solve this problem and as part of an environment-friendly initiative, the company decided to implement the DRS system for efficient collection and disposal of bottle waste. The state government had earlier sanctioned charging ₹20 per bottle of liquor and refunding ₹20 to customers on return of an empty bottle. The bottle buyback program was piloted in 10 branches in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur districts on September 10 in an effort to reduce environmental pollution caused by plastic bottles.
As detailed in the tender documents, the bidder will be allotted 120 square feet (maximum) of space to install an automatic bottle collection device. The empty bottle collection system will be hybrid, consisting of an automatic machine that could be operated by a person designated by the agency. The system will be rolled out to all stores, including those operated by Bevco, Consumerfed and all newly licensed outlets.
QR code system
The sale and return of bottles will be based on a QR code system. Bottles can be returned to any store in the state, regardless of where they were purchased. Customers will be able to cash out the deposit on the bottle within 365 days from the date of purchase. If the deposit remains unused after 365 days from the date of purchase, the deposit will be considered non-expendable.
All collected empty bottles must be removed from the stores daily by the agency. These bottles will be transported and disposed of by the selected authority in accordance with applicable pollution control guidelines, according to the tender documentation. The last date for submitting a bid is December 29 at 5 p.m. and the opening of bids is December 30 at 11 a.m.
Published – 17 Dec 2025 20:54 IST
