Tag: circular economy

Finance

Goa Deposit Refund Scheme Raises Industry and Consumer Concerns Over Higher Costs, Waste Responsibility and Regulatory Burden

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

The Goa Government has announced the implementation of a Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) effective April 1, 2026, under which consumers—both residents and tourists—will be required to pay an additional deposit on daily-use food items sold in plastic and glass packaging. These include bottles, pouches, multilayered wrappers, cartons, and similar packaging formats.


Under the scheme, consumers will be expected to return used packaging to designated collection centres in order to receive a refund, ranging from ₹2 to ₹10 per item, credited digitally to their bank accounts.

Concerns Raised for Consumers

Industry representatives and consumer groups have flagged multiple challenges associated with the scheme. Consumers will be required to store used, often unhygienic packaging and transport it to collection points, which may be limited in number and accessibility. While urban consumers may have easier access, rural and semi-urban residents could face difficulties, potentially leading to forfeiture of the deposit amount.

Additionally, Goans would effectively bear the cost of managing the same waste stream twice—once through existing household waste management fees and again through the DRS deposit—raising questions about fairness and efficiency.

Environmental and Operational Questions

Stakeholders argue that the cost and complexity of the scheme may outweigh its environmental benefits. India already has established recycling infrastructure for plastic, metal, and glass waste, and Goa operates a functioning door-to-door waste collection, segregation, composting, and processing system. Goa’s urban bodies were also recognised nationally for their waste management efforts at the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards.

Despite this, the DRS has reportedly been introduced without a comprehensive scientific or technical evaluation. Industry bodies claim there was no prior consultation with local self-governments, consumers, retailers, waste pickers, recyclers, waste management agencies, or environmental experts, nor was sufficient environmental impact data assessed.

Impact on FMCG Industry

India’s FMCG sector, valued at approximately ₹21 lakh crore and a significant contributor to Goa’s GDP, is already compliant with the Plastic Waste Management Rules. Industry representatives say the DRS imposes duplicate regulatory compliance specific to Goa, potentially disrupting market dynamics.

The exemption of micro enterprises from the scheme has also raised concerns, as it may undermine the stated objective of reducing litter while creating price distortions in highly competitive categories such as packaged snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, and juices.

Call for Deferment

Citing operational, design, and implementation challenges, stakeholders have urged the Chief Minister of Goa to defer the rollout of the Deposit Refund Scheme. They have recommended the formation of a joint working group comprising industry associations, consumer representatives, local bodies, and technical experts to review the framework and assess its environmental, economic, and social impact before implementation.

Social

Navelim Leads the Way in Sustainability with Successful E-Waste Collection Drive

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Lions Club of Navelim marked a significant step toward environmental responsibility with a successful e-waste collection drive held at Rosary Church, Navelim. The initiative, led by MJF Lion Joseph D’Costa, District Coordinator for E-Waste Collection Awareness, received an enthusiastic response from parishioners who turned up in large numbers to deposit their discarded electronic items.

Supported by MJF Lion Trevor Mascarenhas and other dedicated Lions members, the drive aimed to promote responsible disposal and recycling of electronic waste, a growing concern in modern households. The event saw participation and encouragement from prominent Lions officials including District Governor Lion JaiAmol Naik, DCS Lion Kirti Naik, PDG Lion Sasindran Nair, Region Chairperson Lion Dharmu Raut Desai, and Parish Priest Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, who lauded the initiative for its positive environmental impact and community engagement.

The collected e-waste comprised a wide range of items such as computers, printers, TV sets, music systems, mobile phones, and UPS units. All the materials were responsibly handed over to a government-approved waste collection agency for safe and compliant recycling.

The drive not only reduced the local electronic waste burden but also raised awareness about the importance of sustainable waste management and recycling. It reflected the Lions Club’s ongoing commitment to community service and environmental conservation, setting a strong example for other regions in Goa to follow.

Events in Goa

MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 Opens in Goa with a Strong Call for Green Transition in India’s Steel Sector

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa, November 9, 2025 — The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 (MSSC 2025), organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), opened today at ITC Grand Goa, marking the state’s first major ferrous-focused steel and recycling conference. Supported by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, and the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST), the two-day event drew over 300 delegates, including steelmakers, recyclers, policymakers, and sustainability experts from across India.

The conference, themed “Green Steel and Sustainable Growth,” aims to accelerate India’s transition toward low-carbon steelmaking, aligning with the government’s roadmap for 300 million tonnes of sustainable steel production by 2030. The inauguration began with the traditional lamp lighting, followed by a welcome address by Mr. Zain Nathani, Vice President, MRAI, who emphasized that the discussions held at MSSC 2025 would define the next decade of India’s steel industry, particularly in the domains of standards, sustainability, and innovation.

Mr. Keyur Shah, Managing Director, Mono Steel (India) Ltd. and MRAI Board Director, noted that this marks Goa’s first ferrous conference by MRAI and highlighted the association’s evolution from 45 members to over 1,800. He also discussed significant policy wins such as zero import duty on ferrous scrap, simplified PCI procedures, and India’s vehicle scrappage policy under NITI Aayog, while announcing plans for green circular recycling parks and skill development programs.

Mr. Yogesh Mandhani, President of the All India Induction Furnace Association (AIIFA), reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to sustainability, citing that 17 companies have already received Green Steel Certificates from NISST. He stressed that collaboration between the industry and government will be crucial in ensuring affordable, sustainable steel production.

MRAI President Mr. Sanjay Mehta lauded the Ministry of Steel’s proactive engagement, noting that MRAI now operates across 11 recycling verticals in partnership with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Environment. He also announced plans for upcoming vertical-specific conferences across India, covering both ferrous and non-ferrous sectors.

Addressing the conference, Shri Parmjeet Singh, Director of NISST, outlined India’s Green Steel Taxonomy, introduced in December 2024, which provides the framework for classifying low-carbon steel. He highlighted that 47% of India’s 200 million tonnes of steel capacity comes from the secondary sector and 38% of this production uses ferrous scrap — underscoring recycling’s pivotal role in sustainability.

In a virtual address, Shri V. K. Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, noted that India, now the world’s second-largest steel producer with 152 million tonnes of crude steel output, must focus on producing steel sustainably. He outlined the ministry’s strategy of short-term energy efficiency, medium-term hydrogen and carbon capture, and long-term net-zero steelmaking by 2070.

The inaugural day featured technical sessions on BIS standards and the evolving green steel market. BIS Director Shri Dwaipayan Bhadra emphasized the organisation’s collaborative and research-driven approach to standards, while a second session moderated by Mr. Abhijit Kulkarni of EY–Parthenon explored green steel procurement, financing, and policy frameworks.

Panellists from CII, RMI India Foundation, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Metalogic PMS discussed the importance of supportive policies and concessional financing to enable MSMEs to join the green transition. The day concluded with a networking dinner, fostering collaboration among government officials, industry leaders, and sustainability experts against Goa’s coastal backdrop.

The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 continues on November 10, featuring discussions on carbon credits, recycling technology, and policy roadmaps for India’s sustainable industrial future.

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Panaji’s Urban Makeover Gets a Green Touch with Recycled Plastic Benches

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Panaji, May 30, 2025 — In a forward-thinking step toward sustainable urban transformation, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has unveiled an innovative green initiative—the installation of 11 recycled plastic benches at a newly developed public space near the National Theatre–Café Bhosle. This project is part of the broader revitalization of TB Cunha Road, an iconic heritage corridor in Panaji, being reimagined as a vibrant, inclusive, and environmentally responsible urban zone.

The benches, created in collaboration with the OneEarth Foundation, represent IPSCDL’s commitment to circular economy practices. Instead of discarding plastic waste, the project transforms it into durable and functional public infrastructure. Each bench—officially named the Solid Plain Bench—is crafted from 41 kilograms of recycled plastic, primarily sourced from commonly discarded single-use items such as plastic bags and packaging films.

The design of the benches is both practical and sturdy. Measuring 5 feet in length, 3 feet in depth and height, and with a sitting height of 17 inches, each bench comfortably accommodates up to three people. Structurally reinforced with Mild Steel (MS) pipe bases and secured with four fastening points, these benches are built to withstand both weather and time while offering a sustainable seating option to citizens and tourists alike.

“This project is more than just the installation of public seating,” said a senior official from IPSCDL. “It is a conscious step toward creating a model of sustainability, where waste is seen as a resource. We are making urban spaces not only more comfortable and inclusive but also environmentally responsible.”

These benches serve a dual purpose: they provide practical seating for the community and visitors while also acting as visual reminders of the power of sustainable choices. As part of India’s broader Swachh Bharat (Clean India) and Smart Cities Missions, the initiative supports national goals for waste reduction, environmental awareness, and sustainable urban development.

The IPSCDL has expressed interest in scaling this initiative city-wide, using the installation as a pilot model. If replicated across other public areas, it could significantly reduce plastic waste in Panaji while promoting greener, smarter city infrastructure.

By blending heritage restoration with environmental innovation, Panaji is paving the way for urban design that’s not only functional and aesthetic—but also deeply responsible.