Canberra’s container deposit scheme (CDS) is scheduled to begin at the end of June.
Minister for Transport and City Services, Meegan Fitzharris said people could take part in the scheme by returning eligible, empty beverage containers to registered collection points and receiving a 10 cent refund.
Ms Fitzharris said the schemes currently operating in South Australia, the Northern Territory and NSW had proven to be effective and popular ways to reduce litter.
“I’m sure it will be good news for local sporting groups and kids who have already started stockpiling cans and bottles,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“We have always said we would introduce a scheme as quickly as possible to align with NSW, however, we want to make sure we take our time to get it right.”
She said contract agreements had been signed between the Territory and the appointed scheme coordinator, Exchange for Change (ACT) and network operator, Re.Turn-It.
“We want our CDS to be a socially inclusive and accessible scheme that enables all Canberrans to participate,” Ms Fitzharris said.
She said said with that in mind, the ACT CDS would use a face-to-face service delivery model, engaging social enterprise locations and charity shopfronts as express collection points.
“We will also have bulk depots that will accept larger quantities of containers,” Ms Fitzharris said.
She said the scheme would provide opportunities for container refunds to be donated to charities and offer increased economic and employment opportunities at participating collection points.
Ms Fitzharris also announced legislation that would allow beverage manufacturers up to two years before they had to introduce ACT-specific refund marking on their containers.
