Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Tasmac Plans Statewide Automated Liquor Bottle Return Machine Rollout
Tasmac sells liquor through shops in Tamil Nadu.
Customers pay an extra ₹10 deposit for each bottle.
They can get this money back by returning the empty bottle.
Tasmac tested machines for this at some shops in Chennai.
The machines collected nearly 80% of the bottles sold through those shops.
Customers will scan the code on a bottle and place it inside a machine.
The refund will then be sent digitally using a QR code or UPI.
Tasmac plans to install the machines in stages across the state.
The system is also meant to reduce bottle waste and make work easier for employees.
Tasmac has invited bids to install reverse vending machines at 4,068 retail outlets across Tamil Nadu.
A Chennai pilot reportedly collected nearly 80% of empty bottles sold through participating outlets.
Customers will scan each bottle and receive the ₹10 refundable deposit digitally through QR code or UPI.
The phased rollout will initially prioritise urban and high-revenue shops before expanding to other outlets.
The machines are intended to reduce employee workload, storage issues, litter and environmental hazards from discarded bottles.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, or Tasmac, is implementing the system for its customers.
- What
- Tasmac plans to install reverse vending machines for returning empty liquor bottles and digitally refunding the ₹10 deposit.
- When
- The statewide rollout will follow a Chennai pilot and occur in phases; the buy-back programme began in the Nilgiris in 2023.
- Where
- The machines are planned for 4,068 Tasmac outlets across Tamil Nadu, beginning with urban and high-revenue shops.
- Why
- The system aims to improve bottle recovery, simplify refunds, reduce employee workload and storage problems, and limit environmental and safety hazards from discarded bottles.
- Implementing corporation
- Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac)
- Planned coverage
- 4,068 retail outlets across Tamil Nadu
- Refundable deposit
- ₹10 per liquor bottle
- Pilot location
- Selected Tasmac shops in Chennai
- Pilot return rate
- Nearly 80% of empty bottles sold through participating outlets
- Refund method
- Digital payment through a QR code or Unified Payments Interface-based system
- Rollout approach
- Phased expansion prioritising urban and high-revenue outlets
