Container Deposit Recycling Schemes

LJoelions on 16/04/2019 - 10:46
Last edited 16/04/2019 - 10:47

Container deposit schemes have been in QLD and NSW for a little while now. I wonder if anyone has some tips or recommendations? eg is it better to get vouchers instead of cash from some companies?

Here is my experience in Brisbane. I went to a Re.Turn-it staffed building that is only open during office hours. You get the cash instantly but have to spend 20 minutes sorting all your cans and glass colours into groups and in plastic trays for them. Painful.

Next I tried envirobank.com.au who have unmanned drop off pods, so you can go 24/7. The problem is that they give you their bags with a code on them to use but they are most of the time out of bags. Also I notice that they don't seem to actually count how many items per bad and have been giving me a flat 750 credits per bag… Envirobank let you redeem as gift cards for coles or virgin FF points etc. Has anyone tried that?

Does anyone have any other tips?

General Discussion

Related Stores

returnandearn.org.au
returnandearn.org.au

Comments

  • myusername on 16/04/2019 - 10:54
    +3

    i started collection plastic bottles and then heard everyone's horror stories.
    going there and having to spend and hour or so for $20 or whatever.
    bottles just go in recycling bin just like previously.

  • Seedy seed on 16/04/2019 - 10:55
    +2

    I give mine to a guy who does it he gives me 5 cents a bottle/can. So much better.

  • apsilon on 16/04/2019 - 11:01
    +1

    I don't bother. My nearest collection point is at a shopping centre I don't normally visit that has crowded parking. Just put them in the recycling bin at home instead.

  • Fergy1987 on 16/04/2019 - 11:01
    +3

    I just go to the Tomra recycling centre near me. You go in with bags of bottles and you get a little bit of enjoyment watching your cans and bottles go down the little conveyor belt - Have your cans and bottles pre-sorted before you get there into glass and plastic and you're golden.

    Scan your barcode on your phone and the money goes straight into your PayPal account.

    I feel better getting my 10cents back, and hoping unlike regular recycling it doesn't just all end up in landfill anyway.

    I am an eco warrior, hear me roar……………meow

  • brad1-8tsi on 16/04/2019 - 11:36
    +1

    I take mine to the 100 limit shop 5 minutes walk from home in Erko. He rejected half of my first batch as I'd squashed the plastic bottles flat, so I gave them to him for free.

    These days he just waves me up the back and takes my word on how many I have. He did get annoyed when I took in 150 in 2 lots and said don't do it again.

    The big sorting machine in Rockdale was interesting as the guy before me had 60 milk crates of bottles from his restaurant and the machine processed it in 5 minutes including rejecting wine bottles. He walked away with $95. There wasn't a queue.

    I haven't used an automated machine yet but hear the queues can be shocking.

    I mainly do return and earns to get crap off the street.

    • Domingo on 16/04/2019 - 13:43
      +1

      Genuinely interested - why is the 100 limit in place? To avoid taking too much time?

      • brad1-8tsi on 16/04/2019 - 15:39
        +1

        NSW system appears to use a lot of small (desperate??) shops like news agents & convenience stores, especially where I live (close to Sydney CBD).

        I assume the 100 bottle limit is to give everyone a fair go for small quantities. There are larger places with bigger limits.

        My guys shop is 3m wide. His R&E storage capacity is 3x 220L bins for bottles and an extremely large plastic bag for cans and PET. I believe he gets a pick-up 3 days/week.

        I even had one store in Ultimo in the xmas/new year gap that refused to take the bottles as they weren't getting pickups and had run out of room.

  • Love a bargain on 16/04/2019 - 14:52
    +1

    The NSW system is so much more user-friendly than the QLD scheme. Had such a shit with the QLD system when I went there for holiday.

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