Community can count on containers

It’s been 40 years since the state government implemented the container deposit scheme, and Naracoorte Recycables is as busy as ever.

Asked whether Naracoorte residents were invested in the scheme, manager Tim Rich replied, “Very”.

“We still get a lot of customers in here, they’re all for it,” Mr Rich said.

Naracoorte Recycables has been in Naracoorte for decades, with current owners Malcolm and Cathy Healy running the business for 27 years.

As well as supporting initiatives such as the Lions Christmas stocking, Naracoorte Recycables and the container deposit scheme support local sporting clubs by giving them a revenue stream from bottles and cans left at their venues.

“Every year up to $2000 can go back to sporting clubs, they’re all actively involved,” said Mr Healy of their engagement with the scheme.

Since 2005, 6 billion containers have been collected in South Australia under the scheme. 

The container deposit scheme was started in 1977, and in 2017, almost $60 million has been returned to individuals, sporting clubs, charities, and scouts associations.

However, the Recyclers of South Australia Association would like to see more types of containers included in the scheme.

At a recent gathering of South East recyclers in Naracoorte, it was proposed that orange juice bottles and milk bottles over a litre should be included, as well as wine bottles.

Naracoorte Recycables currently processes two tonnes of wine bottles a week, being paid by the bottles’ glass value.

While it could be more extensive, South Australia’s container deposit scheme is still a valuable asset to South Australia’s economy, with 800-1000 people currently employed in the recycling sector across the state.