Bevco to continue liquor distribution in plastic bottles

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) has backed out from the decision of glass bottle packaging of liquor. An alternative method of disposal of plastic bottle waste in collaboration with Kudumbashree mission is under consideration. The initial discussions for this had taken place.

Bevco proposed to switch to glass bottles in view of the plastic ban. The main reason is that the liquor companies are not giving in despite Bevco's demand. At present, 60 percent of liquor is distributed in plastic bottles. 15 percent is in glass bottles. Glass bottles are expensive. Full plastic bottle costs Rs 10-12, for glass bottles it is Rs 9 - 25. If popular liquor which are cheap are to be packaged in glass bottles, the price of liquor will have to go up again.

Another reason is the loss due to bottles breaking during loading and unloading. Plastic bottles do not break. As the Excel glass factory in Alappuzha, which manufactures glass bottles has closed down, the state has to depend on other states for bottles.

The idea is to collect and recycle plastic bottles through Kudumbashree at a fixed price. Beer cans can also be collected and recycled. There are such units in the state. Remanufactured bottles will be graded. The project will be finalized by next month.

55 crores - Bottles sold per year before Covid

60% plastic bottles

15 % glass bottles

24 % beer bottles

Price difference

Rs 10 to 12 for plastic bottles (full)

Rs 19-25 for glass bottles

Rs 9-12 Hard board box price in plastic bottles are filled

Rs 20-30 Boxes for filling glass bottles