Tasmac to collect 10, return it if you return empty bottle

Chennai: Customers will soon be able to return empty liquor bottles at Tasmac vending outlets. The agency has floated tenders to collect empty bottles from shops in all regions, including Chennai and its suburbs. As per the scheme, customers have to pay 10 more than the MRP. The same amount will be reimbursed upon returning the bottles.

The scheme is currently operational in eight districts and partially in nine districts. Tasmac now plans to extend it to all five regions to comply with the directions of the Madras high court. A similar tender was floated last year, but it was halted to revise the tender norms.

"The revised tenders allow only experienced contractors to participate. We drafted it to ensure all empty liquor bottles return to bottling units," said a Tasmac official.

The winning contractor will collect bottles and sell them to recycling units, which will then sell the bottles back to the distilleries and breweries. The contractor cannot collect bottles from bars attached to Tasmac outlets, as the bar license also includes a bottle collection provision.

Tender for Coimbatore region has been withheld and will be floated after Erode East byelection, added the official.

"After the implementation of the scheme across the state, the bottle collection provision will be made part of the QR code system, and retail shops can scan to reimburse the sum," said the official. The shops in north and central Chennai regions have been brought under the QR code system, in which liquor bottles sold are scanned and digitally accounted for.