The ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) continues to expand, with Minister for City Services Chris Steel today announcing four new express return points, bringing the number of locations across the Territory to seventeen.
“With more than 26 million containers returned so far, Canberrans are increasing their use of the scheme – and finding that it is a great way of raising funds while recycling at the same time,” Minister Steel said.
“We want to reduce the amount of recyclable material ending up in landfill or being littered in our landscapes and waterways and the CDS is a great way to encourage people to ensure their bottles and cans end up in the right place.
“The CDS provides a clean stream of plastic which can then be recycled into other plastic products, which is incredibly important during this national waste crisis when the markets have been challenging for contaminated plastics.”
The following express return points have now opened:
- IGA Farrer, open 7.30am-8pm daily
- IGA Evatt, open 7.30am-8pm daily
- Anglicare Phillip, open 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday, 9.30am-2.30pm Saturday
A new express ‘Pod’ drop off point in a shipping container is also being trialled at the Gungahlin Recycling Drop Off Centre – open 7am to 7pm every day of the week. Early results show it has been popular with the community, with up to 15,000 containers a week dropped off during the trial.
The CDS will continue to expand with a number of additional new return points to be announced in coming months, making the scheme even more accessible for Canberrans.
Residents wanting to take advantage of the express return options will need to register and create an account. Once an account has been registered, containers can be bagged and taken to any express return point. People can log in, print off labels for the bags, and hand the bags over with the refund credited to their nominated bank account in the next few days.
In addition to the express return model, immediate cash refunds are also available at all three ACT CDS depots – Fyshwick, Mitchell and Phillip.
Minister Steel encouraged more Canberrans to get on board and said the reasons to use the scheme were endless.
“Earning extra pocket money, fundraising for your school or sports group, or donating the proceeds to charity organisation, are just some examples of how residents are using the CDS to raise funds,” Minister Steel said.
