Container Deposit Schemes are funding medical research, one bottle at a time.
Container Deposit Schemes (CDS) throughout Australia are considered a success, with many states reporting high return rates and reductions in litter.
While providing a financial incentive for returning containers, CDS is also helping local charities and community groups by setting up collection points or partnering with recycling depots.
In New South Wales, scheme co-ordinator Exchange for Change estimates more than $72 million has been raised since CDS was introduced in 2017. In Sydney’s south-western suburbs, the CDS is helping to fund vital medical research.
The initiative began when Pam Brown, St George Sutherland Medical Research Foundation (SSMRF) Chief Executive Officer, realised container recycling with 10-cent refunds could help establish an ongoing income stream.
Cathy Mason came on board as Project Co-ordinator and has worked with businesses and hospitals to set up easy-to-manage systems for the collection and donation of recyclable containers.
Containers are deposited at the Canterbury Bankstown Return and Earn depot, with the refunds going to SSMRF to help fund research at St George and Sutherland hospitals.
The first business to get involved was St George Leagues Club, then Cathy began approaching hospitals.
“St George Hospital was going through 4000 containers per week in the wards. We looked at how we could set up a process within the hospital for them to donate containers,” she says.
After speaking with St George Hospital executives and endorsement from the general manager, an account at the Canterbury Bankstown Return and Earn depot was established.
Container collections began in the hospital kitchen and has expanded to other levels, with the intention to expand across the campus.
“SSMRF arranges bins, signage and marketing – we organise it all for them, and then we let go. We co-ordinate pickups until they are confident enough to run it themselves,” says Cathy.
“It takes a bit to get it going, but once it’s going it just runs itself. All businesses and hospitals have to do is put the bottles in the bin, and have the bags collected on a regular basis.”
She says recycling like this is a win-win for hospitals and businesses as it saves them the cost of waste disposal as well as reducing landfill and raising money for the community.
With St George Leagues Club, Woolooware Golf Club, Caringbah Hotel, St George Hospital, Sutherland Hospital, Besix Watpac, Gymea Hotel and Low & Lofty’s, already onboard, SSMRF is excited about the opportunity for expansion.
“In the initial stages we’re focusing on hospitals and businesses. Currently we are creating a social media campaign to focus on individuals and small housing complexes to collaboratively support local research, 10 cents at a time,” says Pam.
“We raised more than $14,000 in 2024 – the model runs itself so the scope for growth is enormous.”
For more information, visit: www.stgeorgemrf.com.au
