A major environment group has sprung to the defence of the under-fire 10 cents container deposit scheme, saying problems are temporary.
Total Environment Centre says some criticism is “inflated nonsense” and every such scheme in the world has a ramp up period.
The group’s defence of the Return and Earn scheme comes amid continuing criticism about delays in rolling out reverse vending machines and a constant turnover in retailers willing to act as over-the-counter collection points for cans and bottles.
Reverse vending machines have been installed at three sites in Sutherland Shire – Sharks Leagues Club, Menai Marketplace and a recent addition in the car park of the PCYC at Sutherland – but St George is among areas yet to receive even one.
Seven over-the-counter collection points are operating in the shire and 15 in St George, according to the scheme’s website.
Bonnet Bay resident Greg Bleazard was disappointed when a shop in his suburb stopped collections in January after it was inundated with containers following a Leader report it was one of the few remaining participants in the shire.
Mr Bleazard had encouraged his grandchildren Marley and Carter, of Jannali, to collect bottles and cans, which they exchanged for cash.
“We would buy an ice cream and they would take home the rest of the money,” he said.
Mr Bleazard said the return vending machines were located too far away, were slow and frustrating to use and provided little incentive for children.
He said waiting for a parent to redeem a voucher at Woolworths was not the same as being rewarded immediately for their efforts.
“It’s a shame, because kids are the people most likely to search in parks and reserves for discarded containers,” he said.
“Now, they will probably walk past them.”
Return vending machine users can choose to receive their refund electronically with PayPal, donate it to a charity or community group or receive a voucher which they can exchange at Woolworths for cash or in-store credit.
Mr Bleazard was dissatisfied with the response he received when he contacted the Environment Protection Authority, saying it did not address the issues he had raised.
Miranda MP Eleni Petinos has since written to Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton on his behalf.
Ms Upton said in a statement on February 20 more than 100 million drink containers had been returned for refunds since the scheme started on December 1.
“It’s great to see the community really getting behind Return and Earn, with over five million drink containers returned on the weekend alone,” she said.
Total Environment Centre director Jeff Angel said, “Every such scheme in the world has a ramp up period and it takes time for financially viable infrastructure to be put in place and for the community to adapt”.
“To think that the current issues will be permanent features is ridiculous,” he said.
Mr Angel said new collection points were being opened every week.
He rejected criticism consumers were being “ripped off” by paying far more for bottles and cans than had been returned in refunds.
He said the arrangements were no different from what occurred in South Australia where projections of returns were made and adjustments made in the next quarter based on actual numbers.
“As the system settles in projections become more accurate. The initial agreed prices are to be reviewed after February,” he said.
“From our research, the 67 per cent return rate for the first few months is close to what we predicted.
“It will gradually ramp up to about 80 per cent.
“Return and Earn is a big, new program and NSW is the first state in Australia to bring in the modern, automated system that is necessary for our big cities and towns.”
Opposition spokeswoman Penny Sharpe said the scheme had been bungled.
“Gabrielle Upton promised 800 reverse vending machines across 500 collection points,” Ms Sharpe said.
“Fewer than half were in place when the scheme started and three months later there are only 111 reverse vending machines and less than 400 collection points.”
The EPA, in its response to Mr Bleazard, said that over the next 20 years Return and Earn, was expected to result in 1.6 billion fewer beverage containers being littered, almost 11 billion fewer ending up in landfill and 12.6 billion more being recycled.
“Consumers can continue to recycle eligible containers using the kerbside system,” the EPA said.
“Kerbside recycling will continue to be processed at recycling facilities where it is sorted and sold as a commodity to be recycled into something new.
“Recycling facilities can claim the refund for the containers they collect, but they must enter into an agreement with their local council to share the refunds they have received.
“Councils can then offset the refunds against their waste management costs to the benefit of the community.
“Hundreds of collection points, including reverse vending machines, will be established across NSW as the scheme is rolled out.”
