MAPUSA
The strongest criticism has come from Goa Consumer Action Network (GOACAN), a consumer rights organisation, with its convenor Roland Martins alleging that the scheme shifts the entire responsibility onto consumers while ignoring larger environmental issues.
“The reasoning that DRS is meant to protect the environment is misleading. The real cause of environmental degradation is thin plastic bags and single-use plastic, which the scheme does not address. They are only targeting certain packaging materials that benefit them,” Martins said.
He further argued that consumers stand to lose both time and money.
“Under this scheme, the consumer is the total loser. He wastes time returning empty bottles and earns nothing. Earlier, people could sell plastic and bottles to scrap dealers and at least get something in return. DRS is not a scheme; it’s a scam,” he alleged, adding that the motive behind the scheme appears suspect.
