More reasons to recycle with container deposit scheme expansion
There was a flurry of activity at the Envirobank depot in Pinelands on Monday 23 June as a steady stream of vehicles driven by recycling-savvy Territorians dropped off bags of clean beverage containers and collected the 10 cent refund paid on each individual item delivered.
It was just after lunch when the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment the Hon. Joshua Burgoyne arrived with the local media in tow to officially announce the very successful container deposit scheme is being expanded to include any beverage container up to 3 litres.
Currently beer, soft drink, juice-based and spirit-based beverage containers of 3 litres or less, and a limited range of smaller beverage containers of one litre or less can be redeemed.
Expanding the scheme will make it easier and more generous for both consumers and business, as Territorians will be able to claim 10 cent refunds on any beverage container up to 3 litres, including wine and spirit bottles, larger juice and flavoured milk containers, as well as plain milk containers.
It will increase the recovery of containers in the Territory, particularly in locations where kerbside recycling is not available, and will help reduce litter and risk of injury in public places.
The expanded scheme supports the waste and recycling industry with higher value material, encouraging more infrastructure investment and jobs including in remote communities.
Extensive consultation over several years has confirmed high levels of support for broadening and simplifying the scheme to include any beverage container up to three litres, including wine and spirit bottles, and plain milk containers.
The scheme provides a well-established pathway for Territorians to recycle their beverage containers and delivers to industry cleaner, higher value, pre-sorted materials that is far superior to kerbside recycling.
More than 20 commercial collection depots service much of the NT from Greater Darwin and town centres to regional and remote communities, with many more container fundraising donation points operated by charities, community groups, schools and sporting organisations.
The container deposit scheme started in the Territory in 2012, and has already seen more than one billion beverage containers redeemed, and more than $100 million returned into the hands of Territorians.
The new scheme requires amendments to the Territory’s environment protection laws and regulations, which are expected to be introduced into Parliament later this year, and come into effect in 2026.
