Kerala Adds ₹20 Refundable Charge to Liquor Bottles From Sept

In an innovative environmental initiative, the Kerala government has unveiled a bottle-return program targeting liquor containers sold through Bevco outlets. Starting this September as a pilot project, consumers will pay a ₹20 deposit on each liquor bottle (plastic or glass), refundable upon returning the empty container to the store. The excise department will implement QR-code tracking to streamline the redemption process.

Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh framed the deposit as “an investment in responsible consumption,” noting that Kerala generates 70 crore liquor bottles annually, with plastic constituting 80% of this waste. The scheme aims to curb roadside dumping while promoting recycling. As a complementary measure, premium liquor (priced above ₹800) will now be sold only in glass bottles, aligning with broader sustainability goals. This dual approach targets both waste reduction and shifts in packaging norms.

With plastic pollution a growing concern, Kerala’s policy could set a precedent for other states—if successfully scaled beyond the trial phase.