India, Jan. 30 -- Goa will roll out a statewide deposit refund scheme (DRS) from April 1 to curb non-biodegradable waste by incentivising the return of plastic, glass and metal packaging, officials said.

Under the scheme, consumers will pay an additional deposit of Rs.2 to Rs.10 over the MRP, which will be refunded when empty packets or bottles are returned at designated deposit machines, with the rollout to take place in phases across the state.

"Whenever a consumer buys any product which is packaged in non-biodegradable packaging - plastic, aluminium, glass or multi-layer plastic - and is sold in Goa after April 1, 2026, the consumer will have to pay what is called a green deposit. This deposit on most products is Rs.5. On liquor bott...