The NSW Government's Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn, will roll out across the state from December 1.
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With the recent appointment of Exchange for Change and TOMRA-Cleanaway as the scheme coordinator and network operator, the program has taken a step closer.
According to Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen Return and Earn will be a game-changer for the environment and is the biggest initiative to tackle litter in the state’s history.
It will be easy to use, accessible, good for the environment and will make a huge difference to the amount of rubbish on our streets, parks and waterways across our community, Mr Johnsen said.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who will be overseeing the project claim container litter currently makes up 44% of all litter in NSW and costs more than $162 million to manage.
The scheme will have over 500 collection points across the state, including more than 800 reverse vending machines (RVMs). A full list of location will be made available once finalised.
More than half the collection points will be automated, and contain two to four RVMs.
Collection points may also be local shops, depot sites, existing recycling centres, or a combination of all, where anybody can return an eligible drink container for a 10-cent refund.
Most empty 150-millilitre to 3-litre beverage containers will be eligible for a 10-cent refund when presented at an approved NSW collection point.
Container materials that may be eligible for a refund include:
- PET
- HDPE
- glass
- aluminium
- steel
- liquid paperboard
Items that do not qualify for a refund are:
- plain milk (or milk substitute) containers
- flavoured milk containers of 1 litre or more
- pure fruit or vegetable juice containers of 1 litre or more
- glass containers for wine and spirits
- casks (plastic bladders in boxes) for wine and casks for water - 1 litre or more
- sachets for wine of 250 millilitres or more
- containers for cordials, and concentrated fruit/vegetable juices
- registered health tonics
Want to be a collection point operator?
The EPA is establishing a register of parties interested in being a collection point operator. The aim is to connect potential collection point operators across the state with the Network Operator, TOMRA–Cleanaway.
Anyone interested in being a collection point operator is invited to register their interest with the NSW EPA.
For more information visit: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/container-deposit-scheme.htm