We were beyond excited to discover that the container deposite scheme was coming to Western Australia! Currently there is a demonstration model set up at Stockland Bull Creek Shopping Centre open on Saturdays and Sunday from 9am - 5pm. This demonstration kiosk is set up for members of the public to see how reverse vending machines work and for every container returned, TOMRA will donate 10c to charity Nudge.
We see this as a two-fold benefit; FIRSTLY we can be assured that containers we deposit will be saved from landfill AND will become part of Closed Loop Recycling. This is when products are recycled and repurposed into the same product rather than being 'downcycled' into lower quality materials. This removes the need to extract valuable resources to make new products!
1.4 TRILLION cans and bottles are used across the globe each year with only 9% recycled. Containers that end up in our oceans and landfills can take more than 450 years to degrade!
SECONDLY, when the deposit scheme is launched in Western Australia (not in trial), participants can cash in on the 10c refund per container. It might not sound like much; every standard carton of beer you refund will earn you $2.40 and if your household guzzled its way through 1 carton pr week you'll be looking at $124.80 per year. BUT consider that this scheme offers cash refunds for bottles cans and cartons between 150ml and 3L and this is starting to look a lot more lucrative.
A couple from Queensland are even planning on funding the costs of their wedding by collecting containers from their neighbours and friends.
I initially thought this might have been about covering the cost of a budget wedding (no added costs type situation) but their rather ambitious goal was to collect $81,000 in containers; that's just under 1 million bottles!
I won't lie - we're excited! We've set up our own recycling station at home in preparation for the refund scheme and have already started talking with our neighbours about collecting containers. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that everyone was keen to get on board.
THREE Take Home Tips:
Talk to your neighbours and co-workers about collecting containers (either for themselves or for you!).
Set up a place where you can store containers either indoors or outside.
Consider setting aside any money you collect for a goal; meeting that goal might encourage you to find new ways to get more containers.
Obligatory Plea for Comments: what would you spend your container refund money on?
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