Tambo Waste’s Bairnsdale Container Deposit Scheme facility at Lucknow is among the state’s top 10 regional refund points one year into the scheme.
The facility at Lucknow ranks fifth for regional refund points having recycled 10.2 million containers. Mildura’s exchange depot has recycled an astonishing 19.8 million containers with Shepparton not far behind at 18 million. East Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat also feature in the top five, while Tambo Waste’s Sale depot is ranked 10th with 9.5 million.
“Across our Bairnsdale and Sale facilities we’ve recycled 20 million containers which means we’ve given back $2 million to the community,” Tambo Waste group operations manager, Brad Duncan, said.
“The uptake from the local community has been outstanding and we encourage more community groups and sporting clubs to get involved because it is a great way and an easy way to effectively fundraise.
“We really want to thank those who have jumped on board the project. It’s great for us as a business but great to give back to the community. It’s a win-win.”
Victorians have returned more containers than any other scheme in the country in the first year with a billion containers saved from landfill and $100 million back in the pockets of Victorians and charities.
“Locals have jumped on this scheme – taking the opportunity both to save some money and look after the environment. It’s outstanding that everyone, whether they’re residents or community groups, has embraced it the way they have,” Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos celebrated the milestone on the one-year anniversary of the CDS Vic at the launch of a new display at Scienceworks that teaches students about the lifecycle of a bottle when returned through the scheme.
Since the scheme started on November 1 last year, more than $950,000 has been raised for charities and community groups thanks to the outstanding efforts of more than 4200 donation partners.
Victorians are recycling an average of 145 containers per return, with more than 26 million containers deposited the week following the AFL Grand Final – the biggest week of returns on record.
“Victorians have gone gangbusters for our Container Deposit Scheme – saving one billion containers from landfill, putting $100 million back in their pockets and making it the number one scheme in the country,” Minister Dimopoulos said.
“There are lots of things to celebrate on the one year of this scheme that gives back to the community, creates local jobs, teaches kids about recycling and safeguards our environment.”
Before CDS Vic was launched, drink containers were one of the most littered items in Victoria. Over the past 12 months alone, a staggering one-third of containers have been saved from landfill and recycled through the scheme.
The CDS has already generated 597 direct jobs in Victoria in its first year. Of all the containers returned since the scheme started, around 50 percent have been aluminium, 30 percent plastic and 17 percent glass – these containers are sorted and recycled into new bottles or other products.
