Bevco to resume plastic liquor bottle deposit refund scheme after Onam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) is set to resume its deposit refund scheme for collecting empty plastic liquor bottles after the Onam season.

Although Bevco Managing Director on Thursday issued an order withdrawing the pilot project, Excise Minister M. Liju directed officials to continue the plastic bottle collection initiative and restart the scheme after Onam. Considering the heavy rush at liquor outlets during the Onam season, the order suspending the scheme will remain in force for now.

The deposit refund scheme was launched on a pilot basis on September 10, 2025, at 10 selected Bevco retail outlets each in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur districts. Customers purchasing liquor in plastic bottles were charged an additional Rs 20 as a refundable deposit. They received the amount back when they returned the empty bottle to the same outlet.

Although the scheme has been suspended, customers can return plastic liquor bottles that have already been sold until August 20. Bevco has also directed that all bottles collected so far should be handed over to the Clean Kerala Mission for disposal before the same date.

"Plastic bottles are a threat to the environment. The bottle collection drive launched by Bevco has been effective, and it should continue," the Excise Minister said.