In a major step towards tackling the plastic menace, the Kerala government is set to introduce a deposit-return scheme for liquor bottles sold through the Beverages Corporation (Bevco). The initiative, aimed at encouraging recycling and reducing environmental pollution, will be launched on a pilot basis in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur this September.

As part of the scheme, Rs 20 will be collected as a deposit for each liquor bottle, both plastic and glass, at the time of purchase. Consumers can return these QR code-enabled bottles to the same outlet and get the deposit refunded.

Highlighting the scale of the issue, Excise Minister MB Rajesh said that over 70 crore liquor bottles are sold annually through Bevco, out of which 56 crore are plastic bottles, a major contributor to non-biodegradable waste in the state.