Indore: Empty milk pouches will soon fetch you money since environment department is contemplating to launch a buyback scheme. A single empty pouch may fetch 0.50 paisa to consumer on returning to the milk provider or supplier.The plan is being chalked out by the department with an aim to ensure proper collection and disposal of empty plastic milk pouches. The scheme is likely to be implemented throughout Madhya Pradesh. An estimated 10 lakh litres of milk are distributed every day across the state. It accounts for about 20 lakh milk pouches of 500ml and 1 litre. Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation that markets brand Sanchi has a lion share in it.Environment principal secretary Anupam Rajan said, “We are aiming to make empty milk pouches valuable so that they are not littered in the open. This will encourage not only consumers but rag pickers, too, as they ditch milk pouches due to lack of value. If they will get something in return like 0.50 paisa they will collect the pouches and they will land to proper disposal.”About 70 per cent to 80 per cent of pouches go into domestic waste and around 20 per cent are littered in the open.The environment officials had a meeting with milk producers and suppliers. They will come up with elaborate plans for collection and expense mechanism in a fortnight.Rajan said, “We have planned to begin this model with Sanchi. They have agreed in principle. They are working out on expenses and collection model. Sanchi vans can transport empty pouches, which can be stored at their central store.”In this model, milk suppliers will have to shell out Rs 70 to Rs 80 for every 1 kg of empty milk pouches they will receive from consumers, according to experts.Indore Cooperative Dugdh Sangh chief executive officer A N Dwivedi said, “We have given our suggestions and sought some time to draft mechanism for expenses and transport. The model is going to be expensive, but, we will extend our full support in keeping the environment clean and healthy.”“They will have to meet expenses through their margins or CSR activity. As part of extended producer responsibility, generator of plastic material should ensure their proper collection and disposal,” Rajan said.

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