Tomra appointed as refund points operator for container deposit scheme in Australia
Global reverse vending leader Tomra Collection Solutions has been named as one of the container refund point operators for the upcoming container deposit scheme in Queensland, set to launch on November 1. The initiative will contribute to the state’s goal to increase the rate of recycling and reduce the impact of drink container litter in the natural environment, by incentivising consumers to return their empty containers.
The Queensland container refund scheme was developed by scheme operator Container Exchange, made up of beverage industry representatives. Under the program, consumers will receive a 10-cent refund in exchange for eligible bottles and cans. Of approximately 300 total collection points across the state, Tomra has accepted to operate ten container refund points where consumers can return their used containers. Tomra’s modern depots will be located in the greater Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba areas.
Each depot will be equipped with 9-12 Tomra reverse vending machines, a bag-drop option and Tomra’s Bulk Collection Systems to handle returns of large numbers of containers. The popular myTomra app will also provide opportunity for electronic payout of recycling refunds and details on depot locations and opening hours.
Tomra will build on its experience as the network operator for the successful New South Wales (NSW) Return and Earn container deposit scheme, in which its joint venture with Cleanaway provides over 675 refund points, including more than 1,000 reverse vending machines. Launched on 1 December 2017, Return and Earn has seen more than 640 million containers returned by NSW recyclers. Prior to the NSW deposit return scheme, the recycling rate for containers through curbside collection was 33%, whereas Return and Earn achieved a 67% return rate in its first four months. This means an extra 196 million containers were recycled that would have otherwise ended up in the litter stream or landfill.
