India, Aug. 18 -- India's efforts to improve packaging waste recovery are moving beyond policy, with Goa, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh testing different versions of Deposit Return Systems (DRS).

The principle is straightforward. Consumers pay a refundable deposit when buying a product and receive it back when they return the empty container. The four states are testing the model across very different settings, from a tourism-driven economy to retail outlets and high-footfall pilgrimage routes.

Goa is preparing a technology-enabled DRS for beverage containers, scheduled to launch on April 1, 2027. The system is being designed for use across the state, where tourism generates large volumes of beverage containers through ho...