The much-publicised container deposit scheme began on Friday morning, with Wagga shoppers finally able to get a refund for cans and bottles.
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Prices jumped by more than 10 cents recently as retailers started to pass on the cost of the scheme to consumers, which led to cheap political point scoring in the state parliament.
But while the scheme had become a political football, the reaction was more muted in Wagga.
Lake Albert Foodworks owner Rod Porter said customers had been left wondering whether the scheme would work as desired.
“Most of them have asked why we need it,” Mr Porter said. “The South Australian scheme works pretty well: You take a crate of cans, weigh them and away you go. People are asking why we need to pay for this when we’re already recycling at home.”
Supermarkets were on the front foot with explaining the price hikes for cans and bottles of drinks, with signs explaining that a 24-pack of cans that used to sell for $20 would now cost $23.58, including the 10 cent per can refund and a government administration fee.
Under the scheme, most 150ml to three litre drink containers were eligible for a 10 cent refund at an approved collection point, such as the “reverse vending machine” at North Wagga Woolworths or at the Alfredtown service station.
An EPA spokesman said wine and spirit bottles were excluded from the scheme because it was designed to reduce the volume of littered bottles and cans.
“Drink containers account for almost 50 per cent of litter volume in NSW and containers that can be returned for a refund under Return and Earn make up 43 per cent of total litter volume,” he said. “As wine and spirits are predominantly consumed at home, they are not regularly found in the litter stream.”
Mr Porter said he thought many people would be confused by the rules about how the system worked.
“I don’t think people understand they can’t crush their cans, they need to scan the barcodes to get a refund,” he said. “And what will happen when they can’t scan a barcode? Those cans will probably just be left next to the machines.”
A reverse vending machine was delivered to Kooringal Woolworths on Thursday, but it was unclear if it would be operating by December 1.
Find out more at the Return and Earn website.
Stephen Mudd
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
