27 September 2023

Canberra cashing in on containers

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The ACT’s two-month old Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) has been declared a “huge success” by the Minister for City Services, Chris Steel.

Mr Steel said that apart from the environmental outcomes, the scheme was employing 15 people with disability.

“In addition to working with charity partners, Salvos and Vinnies, the CDS network operator, Return‑It, has linked up with LEAD, a Canberra organisation that works with local businesses and Government to provide employment opportunities to people with a disability,” Mr Steel said.

“The CDS has employed 15 LEAD staff in their two depot sites at Fyshwick and Mitchell, working a number of diverse roles. They have received great training and are developing new skills in a retail environment.”

He said that unlike the NSW scheme, the ACT program had people-to-people collection points, making it easier and friendlier to return containers.

Chief Executive of LEAD, Keryl Neville said she was delighted to have been approached to employ people with disabilities in the scheme.

“It’s great when people come to us because we know they’re keen and we know they’re committed to employing people,” Ms Neville said.

Mr Steel said that since it began on 30 June, the CDS had recycled more than 1.5 million containers.

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