Labor MLA Bec Cody opening the new container deposit scheme depot in Phillip. Photos: Supplied.
Residents in Canberra’s south who find the empty bottles and cans stacking up over the Christmas period will have an extra place to trade them in for cash following the opening of a new container deposit scheme depot in Phillip this week.
More than 7.6 million containers have been recycled through the scheme since it began on June 30 this year and the new bulk depot at 17 Dundas Court brings the number of return points in Canberra up to 10 – including three depots and seven express return points operated by either Vinnies or the Salvos.
In opening the new Phillip depot on Monday (December 17), Labor MLA Bec Cody said that 18 return points are scheduled to be operating by July 2019.
The new bulk depot at Phillip.
Ms Cody said the community was really getting behind the container deposit scheme, with the number of containers being returned tripling since the scheme began at the end of June.
“The new depot is great news for Canberra residents, providing another convenient location to return eligible containers seven days a week and pick up 10 cents for each.”
Ms Cody said the extra drop off points would encourage more Canberrans to drop off their bottles over the holiday period for recycling – a time when many yellow recycling bins are full.
“Some families may accumulate hundreds of empty bottles and cans over the holiday period – so it’s a great opportunity to drop off the bottles to claim back a sizeable deposit under the scheme.”
Ms Cody said that the container deposit scheme also provides a great opportunity for organisations to raise funds for community projects and charity work.
“More and more groups and charities are coming on board and using the scheme to fundraise for a range of activities, like a new water tank for an organisation, travel to sporting competitions or supporting their neighbourhood Christmas party.”
She said that eligible containers were those commonly found in the litter stream, including most glass, plastic, aluminium, steel and paper-based cartons between 150ml and 3 litres.
The containers which aren’t eligible include milk, cordial, wine and spirit bottles.
The ACT Government believes that the container deposit scheme makes the industry responsible for the products they make, promotes recovery, reuse and recycling of eligible containers, and reduces litter and the number of containers going to landfill.
More than 7.6 million containers have been recycled through the ACT scheme since it began on June 30 this year.
Around 200 million eligible containers are sold each year in the ACT, but previously only around 30 per cent of these containers were recycled.
For more information on container eligibility and return point locations, as well as a fundraising toolkit, visit www.actcds.com.au.
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