Kerala adds ₹20 refundable deposit on liquor bottles

The Kerala government has announced a new bottle-return scheme for liquor bottles sold through Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) outlets. Under this scheme, an additional ₹20 will be charged on all liquor bottles, whether plastic or glass, which will be refunded when customers return the bottles. This aims to curb environmental pollution caused by discarded liquor bottles.

According to Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh, the pilot project will begin in September in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, which will be extended across the state in 2026.

Once the initiative is implemented, customers can return the empty bottles only to the same outlet from which they bought them. The bottles will carry QR code stickers; scanning them, they will be reimbursed ₹20.

Additionally, the minister mentioned that all liquor priced above ₹800 will be mandatorily sold in glass bottles to further discourage plastic use.