The much-maligned Container Deposit Scheme has officially opened in Wagga but the community is yet to fully embrace the recycling spirit.
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The Return and Earn system – tipped to reduce statewide rubbish by 40 per cent before 2040 – launched on December 1 at the Gurwood Street Woolworths after extensive community and political debate.
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The reverse vending machine incorporates four conveyor belts (two for glass, two for plastic) that transport recyclables from the loading station into the machine.
However users are required to download the myTOMRA app on their smartphone or use a special barcode to access the system.
“It’s all a bit much,” said one Wagga resident inspecting the new machine.
“Seems a little excessive and you can’t even get cash back directly.”
The inability to receive a direct cash refund has some residents miffed, however, Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire has staunchly stood by the recycling initiative.
“The scheme was implemented after extensive consultation and widely based support,” he said.
“This has been an enormous task for the Minister and her department.
“We will continue to roll out the scheme for the benefit of the environment and future generations.”
Labor MLC Mick Veitch, however, was less than impressed with the system.
“Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton had one job: launch a scheme that can help reduce litter and enable consumers to recoup the cost – and she has failed miserably,” Mr Veitch said.
“Everyone will be paying more for every drink.”
Mr Veitch said Labor continued to be a “strong supporter” of the scheme but blamed the Environment Minister for “botching” the rollout of an “inconvenient” scheme.
“The public will have to pay the price for this Government’s incompetence,” he said.
Wagga will regardless play host to a third reverse vending machine at the Kooringal Woolworths after staff confirmed its installation earlier this week.
“They were still working on it this morning but the machine was delivered and installed on Wednesday night,” a spokesperson said.
The Kooringal reverse vending machine will add to planned kiosks at Gurwood Street Woolworths and the Alfredtown service station.
The latter appears in doubt after staff told The Daily Advertiser they hadn’t seen or heard of a kiosk being installed.