The release of the ACT Container Deposit Scheme Annual Statutory Report for 2019-20 has shown support among Canberrans is at an all-time high with strong and growing participation.
“The report shows that since the ACT Container Deposit Scheme commenced on 30 June 2018, over 148.1 million containers have been redeemed,” Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel commented “Participation during the year increased across the Territory, with 42% of Canberrans contributing to the scheme which is an increase of 10% from the previous financial year,”.
The Minister said that the Annual Statutory Report highlights that more than 75.5 million containers were returned through the scheme for recycling in the financial year. Of those, 45 million containers were redeemed through the 21 collection points across the ACT. Minister Steel added that this was a 22% increase in the number of containers that were returned through the ACT network of collection points from the previous year, rather than being sent to the Hume Materials Recovery Facility (via household yellow bins) which received more than 30 million containers.
“By using the scheme and depositing eligible beverage containers, Canberrans can receive 10 cents for each container, raise funds for a community group or choose to donate to charity, the environment is also a big winner with one of the goals of the scheme to reduce litter.” Minister Steel commented “The 2019-20 Keep Australia Beautiful National Litter Index Report showed a dramatic difference in containers found in the ACT litter stream. Only 2% were eligible drink containers which was a decline of 17.5% from the previous year. Canberrans are some of our nation’s greatest recyclers and this report confirms we continue to improve our recycling capability.”