Tomra Cleanaway has announced Woolworths as its first retail refund partner for the Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), which launches 1 December.
Under the CDS, consumers will be able to return eligible beverage containers for recycling in exchange for a 10c refund.
The arrangement with Woolworths will provide up to 180 collection points in metro and regional areas of NSW.
Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) kiosks will be located across the state for the return of eligible containers. Consumers will have the option of donating their refund directly to selected charities or to receive the refund via electronic payment to their registered account.
Customers can also use a credit voucher issued by the RVM towards their shopping at Woolworths or to redeem cash in Woolworths supermarkets across NSW.
Markus Fraval, Director, Strategy & Business Development, Tomra Collection said they are pleased to have Woolworths on board.
“This will help support the delivery of the scheme in time for the 1 December launch. It will also provide customers with convenient RVM locations where they can drop off their containers and then redeem their vouchers at a nearby Woolworths supermarket.”
The NSW Government is introducing the CDS as an initiative to reduce the amount of litter across NSW by 40 per cent by 2020.
The RVMs provide an efficient recycling system, which ensures containers are collected free of contamination so they can be recycled multiple times in ‘closed loops’. Containers returned to the RVMs are collected by Cleanaway and processed through a sorting centre in Western Sydney. The containers are then sold into both domestic and export markets for reprocessing.
Steve Greentree, Managing Director, Woolworths FoodCo, said; “As one of Australia’s largest retailers we are committed to supporting initiatives that help improve and protect the environment.
“The agreement with Tomra Cleanaway will ensure consumers have the option to support this NSW State Government sustainability initiative, with convenient locations to return their containers and claim their refund.”
The exact locations of the RVM kiosks will be announced closer to the launch date.
It has been reported that Aldi will be the next retail partner to be announced, but this is unconfirmed at this point in time.
TheShout approached Aldi for confirmation and received the following statement.
“We are proud to be participating in the NSW Government’s Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). As part of the scheme, Alid customers will be able to obtain a 10c refund on eligible containers purchased in NSW stores.
“We are committed to supporting initiatives such as the CDS and look forward to participating in the largest litter reduction initiative in NSW.
“Customers are advised to visit www.tomra.com to find their nearest collection point.”
The CDS has been a contentious topic within the drinks industry with suggestions that the NSW Government is rushing through the process and failing to keep the community informed on the impact it will have on their hop pocket.