Thursday, December 5, 2024

Canberra coins first reverse vending machine

Canberra’s first reverse vending machine is now operating at the Erindale Shopping Centre, as part of the ACT’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

The machine allows for uncrushed, unbagged containers to be returned.

The CDS has been running since 2018, allowing Canberrans to return eligible drink containers and receive 10 cents back for each return.

Since it started, more than 298 million containers have been returned.

The new reverse vending machine will be trialled for six months. The solar powered machine allows people to insert intact and uncrushed containers, which are automatically counted and sorted. An immediate refund is then paid directly into the recyclers’ Re.Turn It account.

Used broadly across NSW, the new reverse vending machine is the 20th return point in Canberra.

For the next three months, there will be an on-site customer assistance at Erindale from 9am to 5:30pm seven days a week to help people return their containers correctly.

To use the new return point, follow these steps:

  • go to www.actcds.com.au to set-up a Re.Turn It account.
  • at the reverse vending machine, scan the QR code, which will recognise your Re.Turn It account and let you start redeeming containers.
  • follow the sorting instructions.
  • once redeemed, payments will be made online via your Re.Turn It account.

Schoolscommunity members and local businesses has been using the CDS to raise money and support causes close to their hearts, and the new return point will make this easier for more Canberrans.

For more information on the ACT Container Deposit Scheme, visit: www.actcds.com.au

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