General News
26 January, 2024
We're recycling savvy
More than two million recyclables were returned across the Wimmera in the first month of the new container deposit project, with locals cashing in on the precious 10 cent refund on beverage bottles and cans.
More than two million recyclables were returned across the Wimmera in the first month of the new container deposit project, with locals cashing in on the precious 10 cent refund on beverage bottles and cans.
Horsham led the way in the district, and came in fifth in deposits for country Victoria with 1.8 million items recycled.
But Dimboola did their fair share of recycling, recording 166,585 recyclables, while Warracknabeal reported 188,072, Murtoa 142,568, Nhill 107,707 and Rainbow 66,603.
Depots are run by CDC Western Victoria operator Cleanaway/Tomra and use optical scanning to separate items like aluminium cans and plastic containers, from bottles made of glass.
The machines count and validate containers as part of the process, and the two machines, side-by-side, can each sort a container in less than a second.
In Horsham, mayor Robyn Gulline said the new scheme was a significant step towards promoting responsible waste management and supporting the local community.
This would encourage people to recycle more, Cr Gulline said.
But it seems locals are already in favour of recycling and the demand to do so often outweighs the capability of the facilities, despite the machines being emptied regularly.
Commenting on Let's Talk Horsham on Facebook, people have expressed frustration that the bins are often full or that automatic facilities like the one in Murota are too small.
But there has also been plenty of positivity that the machines are being emptied regularly, as a number of writers have directed others to an app which lets the user know if a facility has capacity for recyclables and is operational.
The app is available by searching CDS Vic West on your phone.
Dana Whitehead, from Horsham, said she loved the concept and had been using one of the facilities at least weekly.
"We find it super easy to use," Ms Whitehead said, although she admitted the facility was regularly full for cans and plastic in the afternoon.
"Once you have the app and your chosen refund, all you have to do in the day is scan your barcode and start filling with your recycling."
Ms Whitehead said her family opted for the refund to be returned to them, and although she said it was a lot more work than it was worth, she enjoyed getting rid of the recycling and getting back something she normally wouldn't.
"However, I have noticed prices in supermarkets have hiked up to match the container scheme," she said.
"A slab of water at Coles used to be $7.40 and now they’re $9.50.
"That’s $2.10 up and if you recycle every bottle from the slab, you only make $0.40."
Mildura topped the list of deposited items, with 4.1 million recyclables, while Shepparton, Kangaroo Flat and Ballarat South also performed well.
Of all the containers returned, aluminium cans have been the most popular, making up 53 per cent of returns, followed by PET (26 per cent) and glass (18 per cent).
Victorians can choose to pocket the refund or donate their containers to one of the 1600 participating charities, community, educational, environmental or sports groups.