CHENNAI: Customers could soon be able to return empty liquor bottles through automated machines and receive the Rs 10 refundable deposit digitally across the state, as Tasmac is inviting bids to roll out reverse vending machines (RVMs) under its bottle buy-back scheme across its 4,068 retail outlets. The statewide initiative follows a trial of the machines piloted at select Tasmac outlets in Chennai.
A senior Tasmac official told TNIE that nearly 80% of the empty bottles sold through the outlets covered by the trial were returned through the machines, prompting the corporation to look at expanding the system.
“Though there are some shortcomings, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. Hence, we have decided to install the machines at all Tasmac outlets. In the first phase, priority will be given to shops in urban areas and outlets that generate high revenue,” the official said.
Under the automated system, a customer returning an empty bottle scans the code on it and deposits the bottle in the machine. The Rs 10 deposit collected at the time of purchase is then refunded digitally through the QR/UPI-based system.
The move is an expansion of the automated bottle-return system which Tasmac began testing in Chennai in June. The pilot was introduced as part of efforts to address practical problems with the existing buy-back scheme, particularly the additional workload placed on retail employees in manually receiving, storing and handling used bottles.
The buy-back scheme requires customers to pay a refundable deposit of Rs 10 for every liquor bottle purchased. The amount is returned when the empty bottle is handed back.
The Madras High Court had earlier directed the implementation of the buy-back bottle scheme following cases related to wildlife being affected by liquor bottles discarded in forest areas and tourist spots.
Tasmac introduced the scheme in the Nilgiris in 2023 and later extended it to other parts of Tamil Nadu. After the TVK government assumed office, Tasmac decided to explore the use of RVMs to reduce the workload on employees and make the bottle collection process easier. Following the successful trial in Chennai, the corporation has now decided to expand the system across the state through the tender basis.
