Chennai, 14 August (H.S.): The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to expand its innovative liquor bottle buy-back scheme to all Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) outlets across the state. This eco-friendly initiative aims to reduce environmental waste by encouraging customers to return empty liquor bottles. Under the scheme, customers are charged an additional Rs 10 per bottle, which is refunded when the empty bottle is returned.

The scheme was initially rolled out in the Nilgiris district following a court directive aimed at addressing environmental concerns caused by discarded bottles. It has since been implemented in select districts, including Ooty and Kodaikanal, with encouraging results. The program has seen a return rate of 95% in districts where it has been implemented, with over Rs 306 crore collected and Rs 207 crore refunded to customers. To improve tracking and prevent misuse, Tasmac plans to sell bottles with stickers displaying the shop number.

The expansion of the scheme is expected to be completed by September, with all 4,829 Tasmac outlets across the state participating. However, logistical challenges remain, as only 471 outlets have space to store empty bottles, while the remaining 3,926 shops require additional storage space. The government aims to promote environmental responsibility and strengthen retail practices in the liquor sector through this initiative.

The liquor bottle buy-back scheme is part of the government's broader strategy to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices. By encouraging customers to return empty bottles, the scheme aims to minimize littering and promote recycling. The government has also proposed introducing liquor in Tetra Pak containers to further reduce glass bottle waste and enhance safety.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary