State to have 300 automated machines to collect non-biodegradable waste

Panaji: State govt has decided to set up over 300 automated collection machines across the state for the collection of non-biodegradable material based on consumer and tourist footfall. A senior govt official said the system operator for the implementation of the deposit refund scheme (DRS) must establish at least these many automated collection machines across collection points.
“At least one automated collection machine must be set up in each panchayat area and class C urban local bodies (ULBs), and at least five in each class A and class B municipal area. Further, within one year from the commencement date, the system operator shall ensure that the number of automated machines is increased to at least 400, and within two years of the commencement date, to at least 500,” the official said.
Govt has set an ambitious goal of achieving zero-waste and zero landfills for the state, the official said, and added that this envisages a state with high social awareness of waste and public space hygiene on a par with the best tourist destinations in the world. Goa receives approximately 10 times more tourists than the resident population and it would like to move towards innovations to educate and create a behavioural change in the way waste is perceived.
“The DRS in the state aims to ensure closed-loop collection of non-biodegradable packaging directly from the consumer, and work towards strengthening the resource efficiency in Goa. DRS would act as a collection mechanism to strengthen the existing extended producer responsibility (EPR),” the official said.
“Producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs) introducing non-biodegradable packaging into the state must participate in DRS, and could get EPR credits adjusted against their overall EPR obligations, as may be applicable as per relevant waste management rules notified from time to time.”
DRS is a globally acclaimed model for efficient waste management with the involvement of key stakeholders such as govt, manufacturers (PIBOs), technology partners, common people, and recyclers. Goa intends to become the first state in India to deploy DRS at the state level, the official said.