The first five drop-off points for the Territory’s new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) have been named by Minister for Transport and City Services, Meegan Fitzharris.
They are Vinnies Belconnen, corner of Rae and Purdue Streets, Belconnen; Vinnies Dickson, 1/9 Woolley Street, Dickson; Vinnies Tuggeranong, corner of Pittman Street and Athllon Drive, Greenway; Salvos Fyshwick, 15 Mildura Street, Fyshwick; and Fyshwick Bulk Depot, 151 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick (for deposits of more than 500 items).
Ms Fitzharris said from 30 June Canberrans will be able to collect eligible containers and take them to one of these return points to receive a 10 ¢ refund for each.
She said the number of return points across the ACT would increase over coming months, and would be located at charity shopfronts or at larger bulk return depots, with residents able to choose to collect the refund themselves or donate the funds to charity.
“The use of charity shopfronts is a key part of our approach to the CDS here in Canberra, with people able to donate their refund, receive cash, or have the money transferred to their bank account,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“The social enterprise model will also create new employment opportunities for Canberrans, as well as raising funds to provide services and support for those in the community who need it most.”
She said not every region would have a return point on day one, but more locations would come online in coming months.
“By July 2019 there will be 18 return points in operation across the ACT,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“The CDS puts the onus on industry to be responsible for the products they make, promote recovery, reuse and recycling of eligible containers, and reduce litter and the number of containers going to landfill.”
The Minister said about 200 million eligible containers were sold each year in the ACT, while only 30 per cent were currently being recycled.
