If you damage your empty cans and bottles, you can forget about getting your 10-cent deposit back.
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From December 1, the government’s container deposit scheme will begin.
It will see consumers get a 10-cent refund for every can or bottle they take to a collection point or reverse-vending machine.
The aim behind the Return and Earn scheme is to reduce litter by encouraging people to pick up cans and bottles to claim the 10-cent refund.
Unlike cash-for-cans schemes that existed in NSW in the 1970s and 1980s, every can or bottle has to be in mint, undamaged condition.
“Return and Earn is the largest litter-reduction initiative to be introduced in NSW and will help to reduce drink container litter which makes up the largest proportion of litter volume in NSW at 44 per cent,” said a spokeswoman from the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
“The scheme will also provide a fundraising opportunity for schools, community and sporting groups.”
Unlike cash-for-cans schemes that existed in NSW in the 1970s and 1980s, every can or bottle has to be in mint, undamaged condition.
“All Return and Earn collection points will only accept containers that are empty, uncrushed, unbroken and have the original label attached,” the spokeswoman said.
This will likely make people less inclined to pick up any damaged cans or bottles.
With the scheme due to start in less than two weeks, the Mercury understands reverse-vending machines are starting to appear in the region.
However, the EPA could not supply a list of the locations of collection points and reverse-vending machines.
”Many collection sites have already been installed from Tumut to Revesby and from Woolgoolga to Moruya,” the spokeswoman said.
“The roll out of Return and Earn is a massive logistical exercise.
“The network operator TOMRA Cleanaway is finalising collection point locations which are being announced as they are installed.
“There will be an up to date map of location sites available on the Return and Earn website ahead of the launch.”
As of Tuesday, the website map was not operational.
That 10-cent refund actually represents a similar increase in the price of most beverages, which was introduced at the beginning of this month.
The cost of the scheme has been passed onto the consumer by the co-ordinators, which includes Coca-Cola Amatil, Coopers and Carlton and United Breweries.
Some containers are not eligible for refunds, including milk bottles and wine casks and bottles.
Eligible containers in kerbside recycling bins can also be redeemed.
The recycling facility will have to use an EPA-approved method for estimating the number of containers it recovers to claim the refund from the co-ordinator.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
