TOMRA Cleanaway has installed Victoria’s first refund point under the state’s new Container Deposit Scheme, in Buninyong.
Located at Foodworks in Buningyong, the refund point will allow the recycling of eligible bottles, cartons and cans, for a 10 cents per item return from 1 November 2023.
TOMRA’s Reverse Vending Machine technology will scan and verify each container as it is deposited, and then provide options to the user to either receive the amount through a retail cash voucher, via digital transfer direct to a bank account, or for the amount to be sent as a donation to a nominated charity or community group.
James Dorney, TOMRA Cleanaway Chief Executive Officer, said it is the first of a number of machines to be rolled out in the area and across the state.
Tomra Cleanaway is looking for more community partners to host registered refund points – including shopping centres, retail outlets, clubs, parks, sporting grounds, and community centres.
Refund point types include outdoor Reverse Vending Machine kiosks, standalone Reverse Vending Machines suitable for supermarkets and retail shops or clubs, and Over The Counter refund points.
“Our machines are quick, convenient, and automated, and able to be seamlessly integrated into retail and community locations,” Dorney said.
“As a partner, the benefits of being a refund point host include attracting customers, supporting fundraising for local community groups and charities, and earning extra revenue. We will work with interested partners on the best configuration that suits them, within the CDS Vic scheme.”
Victoria’s container deposit scheme, CDS Vic, is set to start in November 2023. It will target beverage containers that most commonly contribute to litter and are often consumed away from home including plastic soft drink bottles, glass beer bottles, soft drinks and alcohol sold in cans, and small fruit juice cartons.
At the launch, Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt said Victoria’s container deposit scheme will be the most accessible and convenient in the country, making it easier than ever to recycle in regional Victoria and across the state.
“CDS Vic will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons bring recycled into new products, while reducing the amount of litter in Victoria by up to half,” Stitt said.
TOMRA Cleanaway was established in 2017 to deliver the New South Wales Container Deposit Scheme, ‘Return and Earn’. It also operates the ‘Containers for Change’ programs in Queensland and Western Australia.
The company was appointed by the Victorian Government to deliver CDS Vic in 28 Local Government Areas across the west of Victoria and western suburbs of Melbourne, with almost 200 refund points to be established. It’s estimated half a billion eligible drink containers are disposed of annually across this region alone.
“We’re very excited to be part of Victoria’s new Container Deposit Scheme, and look forward to partnering with local businesses, charities and community groups across the state,” Dorney said.
For more information, visit: www.TOMRACleanaway.com.au
