Throwing a party? We now collect bottles and cans!
The NSW container deposit scheme, Return and Earn, is the largest litter reduction scheme introduced in NSW. Eligible drink containers are most commonly found as litter in NSW.
Eligible containers can be redeemed for a 10 cent refund at any return point. For a container to be eligible, it’s important it is empty, uncrushed, unbroken and has the original label attached.
Recycling cans and bottles through the Return and Earn program ensures they are recycled into bottles and cans again. It is a “closed loop system”. When we use our kerbside recycling bin, there is a higher risk of contamination. If a recycling bin is contaminated, the entire contents may be sent to landfill. By using the container deposit scheme, you guarantee the items will be recycled correctly.
The 10c refund from the can will be donated to a charity through the program. For this month, we have chosen Supporting Flood Impacted Communities in NSW.
GIVIT is managing offers of donated goods, services, volunteering and funds in response to the widespread flooding across NSW. GIVIT is an easy and efficient way of donating directly to the people impacted by the floods without overwhelming frontline charities and services on the ground. Donating to GIVIT ensures that people get exactly what they need, when they need it.
How cans are recycled:
Aluminium is infinitely recyclable. The cans are processed in Sydney and are separated into other types of containers to then be baled into big cubes. As there are currently no aluminium reprocessing facilities in Australia, aluminium cans returned through the scheme are sold to aluminium smelters overseas including the Netherlands and South Korea.
The aluminium smelter melts the cubes down into sheets of recycled aluminium that will be made into cans again. This whole process takes about 4-8 weeks.
How are glass bottles recycled:
The glass bottles are crushed into smaller bits of glass called cullet and any contamination is removed, including lids and labels. The cullet is sorted by colour and then melted down into new bottles and jars.
All glass bottles returned are recycled in Australia and can be back on the supermarket shelves in as little as 30 days.
How plastic bottles are recycled:
Plastic bottles are baled up and taken to a plastic processing facility in Albury, NSW. The plastic bottles are sorted, washed, shredded into flakes and then turned into PET resin to be turned into new beverage bottles. The bottles are back on the shelf in as little as six weeks.
Information from Returnandearn.org.au
