THE state government’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) has been slammed by Bathurst retailers with the cost of beverages set to increase from Wednesday.
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Also known as Return and Earn, the NSW CDS will be the largest litter reduction scheme introduced by the state, with the goal of reducing litter volume by 40 per cent by 2020.
The cost of canned and bottled beer, and soft drinks will increase from Wednesday to cover the impacts of the CDS, with some set to rise by up to 15 cents a bottle/container.
Knickerbocker Hotel publican Scott Macallister said he expected customers to be angry about the increased costs.
“We’re going to have to put our prices up by 10 per cent,” he said. “It could be $3 a carton extra [for a 24 pack] and they’ll get $2.40 back.
“If you buy a stubby in the bar it’ll also go up by 10 per cent.”
$3 a carton extra and they’ll get $2.40 back.
- Scott Macallister
Mr Macallister said there was a lack of public knowledge that prices were about to go up.
“It’s all been swept under the carpet,” he said.
“We’re going to get the blame for it because there’s no publicity.”
While the locations of the 500-plus collection points across NSW are yet to be announced, Mr Macallister was doubtful how many people would use them.
He said Bathurst’s existing council-run recycling scheme was adequate.
“It seems like a huge expense, we’ve already got our yellow bins,” he said.
“It’s not worth it for 20 cents or 10 cents. If you’re going to make it worthwhile you’ll need storage and petrol to go down there and time to do it.
“I think the government is just looking at it as a money-making exercise.”
Bernardi’s Supa IGA assistant manager Wayne Meyers said customers would not welcome the price increase associated with the scheme.
“For a 30-pack case of cans it’ll add $3 to the cost,” he said.
While signage is already up at IGA to inform customers about the looming price increase, Mr Meyers said some people would be more accepting of the change than others.
“It all comes down to the individual, some people will be for it and others won’t,” he said.
Mr Meyers said, however, that the scheme would benefit for school and community groups in Bathurst.
“It’s a good way for kids to earn a little bit of extra money,” he said.
What is it?
THE New South Wales Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) comes into effect on December 1, 2017 and will be operated by Cleanaway and TOMRA in a joint venture partnership as Network Operator, as well as a separate Scheme Coordinator.
Also known as Return and Earn the NSW CDS will be the largest litter reduction scheme introduced by the state, with the goal of reducing litter volume by 40 per cent by 2020.
How it works?
The CDS rewards consumers for returning containers, cans and bottles to designated recycling points with a 10 cent refund per eligible container. The refund can be:
- Disbursed electronically to the consumer
- Donated to charity
- An in-store credit or cash redemption voucher from selected partners
Collected containers will be processed through a counting and sorting centre in Western Sydney.
They will then be recycled and sold into both domestic and export markets. Recovering these resources will create a closed loop, making a sustainable future possible.
What’s acceptable?
The majority of containers covered under this scheme are beverage containers ranging from 150 millilitres to 3 litres. Containers can be made from:
- Aluminium
- Glass
- HDPE
- Liquid paperboard
- PET
- Steel
What’s not acceptable?
Containers that are not included in the Scheme and, therefore, do not qualify for a refund are:
- Plain milk or milk substitute containers
- Flavoured milk containers of one litre or more
- Pure fruit or vegetable juice containers of one litre or more
- Glass containers for wine and spirits
- Casks (plastic bladders in boxes) for wine and casks for water of one litre or more
- Sachets for wine of 250 millilitres or more
- Containers for cordials, or concentrated fruit and vegetable juices
- Registered health tonics
- These exceptions are like those in the South Australian and Northern Territory container deposit schemes, to aid consistency.