Woolworths will partner with the NSW government to offer the first can and container refund scheme in NSW.
The ‘Return and Earn’ scheme is being introduced as a way to clean up the beaches and parks across the state.
The scheme will be launched on December 1 and provide consumers with 10 cents for every eligible beverage container that is returned to be recycled.
Woolworths will provide 180 collection points for the recycling machines to be installed at, and the 10 cent refund will be able to be directly deposited, donated to charities or issued in shopping vouchers.
When the scheme was announced earlier in the year, former NSW premier Mike Baird said it was a historical day for NSW.
“Never before has there been an attack on litter like we are undertaking today,” he said.
“It’s about time that NSW took leadership on this issue.”
Environment minister Mark Speakman said this was an initiative to drive down litter.
“We know that 160 million containers end up in litter in NSW,” he said.
Mr Speakman said it was also a good thing to happen to charity and community groups.
“We know in South Australia that charity and community groups received about $60 million a year revenue from participating in a container deposit scheme.”
The Return and Earn scheme will be implemented to reduce litter in the state by 40% by 2020.
Pity the shopping vouchers can only be redeemed at Woolworth’s. Big getting bigger, squeezing out the corner store.
I don’t understand why is nobody addressing the fact that this Container deposit scam” is basically a “shop at woolworths” tax. All other retailers prices have gone up since 1/11/17, but Woolworths has stayed the same. Coincidentally, the only refund points are at Woolworths.
Aren’t there laws in this country about monopoly?
Where are the people that protested Carlton for sacking cleaners? that issue didn’t affect YOU, this one does, yet you stay silent?
There will be 800 reverse vending machines across NSW, providing 10 cent refunds in exchange for bottles and cans.
If you don’t want to use the Woolies ones go to one of the other 620 machines.
I think it’s a good idea however the breverage companies are going to put up their price as the NSW Government is charging them 15cents per container to implement this scheme so in the long run it’s costing you more to ge 10cents back so your out of pocket at least 5cents.
In the long run YOU LOOSE the GOVERNMENT WINS