Container deposit scheme comes to Tallarook

By Bianca Hall

Sep 18, 2023

New frontiers: Until now Victoria has been the only state or territory in Australia without a cash-for-bottles scheme. Photo by Anne Vernon

Recyclers rejoice. Soon people can return their used drink cans, bottles and cartons to the Tallarook Hotel for a 10c refund.

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The new refund point will be part of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme and operational as of November 1.

It is hoped the scheme will reduce the state’s litter by up to half by turning drink containers into recycled products and creating up to 640 jobs.

People can return their eligible containers one of four ways; through reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter sites such as Tallarook Hotel, and pop-ups.

VicReturn is the scheme co-ordinator, while TOMRA Cleanaway, Visy and Return-It will establish and oversee the refund points and refunds to customers.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes visited the hotel last week and said the new scheme was an opportunity to help clean up the environment.

“While helping sporting clubs, community groups and schools across northern Victoria to raise valuable funds through collection drives and donations,” Ms Symes said.