The City of Sydney is calling for a container deposit scheme to significantly increase recycling, reduce waste and protect wildlife and the environment from beverage container pollution.
In a submission to the NSW Government’s discussion paper, the City calls for a scheme that offers a financial reward in return for empty beverage containers.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said container deposit schemes have proven very effective in increasing recycling rates and reducing litter.
“Container deposit schemes have been embraced by the public and have produced impressive recycling rates across Australia and globally. It’s time NSW got on board by providing more options and incentives for people to recycle,” the Lord Mayor said.
“South Australia’s scheme has achieved significant recycling rates - nearly double the rate of NSW. The Northern Territory also offers a financial incentive in return for eligible containers, which has produced great recycling rates.”
The City of Sydney has taken action into its own hands, improving local recycling rates by installing four trial reverse vending machines across the City.
The machines at Haymarket, Circular Quay, Redfern and Wynyard offer small rewards such as a donation to charity and food truck vouchers in return for empty drink containers and help keep the city and harbour free from discarded plastic bottles and aluminium cans.
The National Litter Index states that drink containers account for some 44 per cent of all public place litter.
The Lord Mayor said the reverse vending machines had been highly effective in encouraging a change in community behaviour when it comes to recycling.
“Our machines have recycled nearly 2,000 kilograms of cans and bottles since they were installed less than two years ago,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It’s encouraging that so many Sydneysiders have embraced recycling and are doing the right thing by the environment. By using these reverse vending machines, they have saved 139,000 containers from landfill and helped turn rubbish into a valuable resource.”
The City has also implemented a range of recycling initiatives including recycling stations for batteries, light bulbs and mobile phones at libraries and customer service centres. The City also offers free, quarterly e-waste events.
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Claire Thompson, phone 0408 414 376 or email cthompson1@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Matt Levinson on 0499 319 385 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au