KERALA’S NEW STEP TO REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION

The state of Kerala has always been known for its natural beauty, greenery, and eco-friendly initiatives. However, like many other places in the world, Kerala has also been facing the serious problem of plastic waste. Plastic bottles, covers, and other materials are often seen littered around cities, towns, and even rural areas. To fight against this issue, the Kerala government has now introduced a unique and practical idea: giving money back to people who return empty liquor bottles.

This scheme officially started today, Wednesday, and is being introduced first in selected areas. Under this program, anyone who buys liquor and later returns the empty bottle to the shop will get Rs. 20 in return. This simple reward system is expected to encourage more people to recycle bottles instead of throwing them away on roadsides, rivers, or garbage dumps.

How the Program Works

The process is very straightforward. A person buys a bottle of liquor from a government liquor outlet. After finishing it, instead of discarding the empty bottle in public places or at home, they can bring it back to the shop. The shop will collect the bottle and give the person Rs. 20 in return.

The shops that collect these bottles will then hand them over to the Clean Kerala Company, which is the state-owned agency responsible for waste management and recycling. Clean Kerala Company will recycle these bottles in an environment-friendly manner. By reusing glass and properly recycling, the state can reduce the huge amount of waste that usually piles up every day.

Pilot Project in Two Districts

The government has decided to first launch this project as a pilot program in 20 areas across two districts. This way, they can study how people respond, how effective the program is, and what challenges come up during the process. If the project runs smoothly, the government plans to expand it step by step.

By the year 2026, the aim is to make this program available all over Kerala. This shows the government’s long-term commitment to fight plastic and glass waste.

Why Liquor Bottles?

Liquor bottles are chosen for this program because they make up a big share of the glass and plastic waste in Kerala. Every day, thousands of bottles are sold across the state. Unfortunately, many of these bottles are seen lying on roadsides, in rivers, and in public places. They are not only unpleasant to look at but also harmful to the environment and dangerous to animals and people.

By giving a financial reward, the government hopes that customers will be motivated to bring these bottles back rather than throwing them away.

Environmental Benefits

This program has several environmental benefits:

Less Waste on Streets – When people know they will get Rs. 20 back, they will avoid throwing bottles on the ground. This will make roads, parks, and rivers cleaner.

Encourages Recycling – Recycling means that instead of producing new glass every time, old glass bottles can be reused or converted into useful material. This saves energy and reduces pollution.

Protects Nature and Wildlife – Broken bottles and plastic waste often hurt animals, birds, and even humans. Reducing litter will make the surroundings safer for everyone.

Promotes Responsible Drinking Habits – The scheme also indirectly encourages people to act more responsibly. When customers return bottles, they are taking part in a system that benefits the entire society.

Social and Economic Impact

Apart from environmental gains, this scheme has social and economic benefits too. For ordinary people, especially those from poor backgrounds, getting Rs. 20 back for every bottle can make a difference. This may even encourage people who do not drink to collect discarded bottles from roadsides and return them for money. In this way, waste collection could become a small source of income for some.

The liquor shops and Clean Kerala Company will also have more work in terms of collection and recycling, which can create more jobs in the waste management sector.

Government’s Larger Goal

Kerala has been known for its efforts in waste management before as well. The state has run awareness campaigns against plastic use, promoted cloth and paper bags, and introduced recycling programs. This new initiative is a continuation of that mission.

The larger goal is to create a circular economy in which waste materials are not simply thrown away but are reused and recycled in useful ways. By 2026, if the project succeeds, Kerala could set an example for the rest of India and even for other countries.

Challenges Ahead

Even though the program looks very promising, there may be challenges:

Collection System: Shops must be ready to handle the large number of bottles people will bring back. Proper storage is needed.

Transportation: Clean Kerala Company must ensure timely collection and recycling.

Public Response: The scheme will only succeed if people actively participate. If customers ignore the Rs. 20 reward, bottles may still end up as waste.

Awareness: The government will need to run campaigns to inform people about the scheme.