Before the NSW Government recycling scheme came in this wouldn't be a bargain - but it is now.
$1.65 for all 1.25 litre Coke varieties.
The NSW "Return and Earn" Recycling scheme is just another tax. It generates profits for both the state and Federal governments, plus the major drink makers, all at NSW residents expense.
Those of us living in NSW will know by now that the price of bottled soft drinks, water, beer and various other drinks has risen substantially in the last few months.
You will also know that you can recycle the bottles from these drinks for a refund of $0.10 per bottle. That $0.10 is supposedly the "deposit" you paid when you bought the drinks.
But dig into the facts a little deeper, and you'll find you are getting ripped off to the tune of at least $0.10 per bottle.
The facts are this:
The scheme, managed by a consortium of the largest drink makers in Australia (almost all foreign owned) charges the manufacturer $0.10 per bottle PLUS ~$0.04 per bottle "network administration fees" (and these fees will increase each year) - so in total ~$0.14 per bottle is charged to the manufacturer.
Of course the manufacturers pass on this additional cost into the selling costs of their drinks - so the wholesale cost of all recyclable drinks has risen by AT least $0.14 per bottle.
Then when the retailer gets the more expensive drinks, they add their margin - lets say 30% - so now it's $0.182 per bottle.
Then the Federal government charges 10% GST, so at the checkout you are paying AT LEAST $0.20 per bottle more.
If/when you recycle you get $0.10 back. So you lose at least $0.10 per bottle even when you recycle.
And what happens if you don't recycle?
Well either the local council collecting your rubbish, or the drink makers running the refund scheme, make money ($0.10/$0.04 or $0/$0.14 respectively) and you lose at least 20 cents.
The reality is you are paying a $0.20 or more tax per bottle/can, and getting a maximum $0.10 refund when you return the bottle.
If you get that passionate about $0.10, you should look into child prostitution - you would become a world changer!