Cash from cans for charities

WITHIN its first day of operation, Victoria’s container deposit scheme processed one million bottles and cans.

That’s a lot of 10-cent refunds, but users of the scheme’s reverse vending machines in the TOMRA Cleanaway-run west zone can also choose to donate the money to organisations.

VicReturn CEO Jim Round said he’s encouraging not-for-profits, community groups and schools to sign up to be recipients of the cash.

“There’s a lot of good opportunities for charities and groups, and there are more than 300, like Scouts and the SES, that have already signed up,” he said.

“We’ve noticed since the launch, a whole bunch more applied. People have been super keen, and the feedback from charities has been really positive, so we’re really happy with the roll-out.

“Organisations can head to cdsvic.org.au, and take the steps to become a donation partner which is pretty easy.”

Mr Round said he’s also aware of charities and community groups who are planning to do their own can and bottle drives, before taking them to a reverse vending machine.

“That’s a really effective way to earn cash,” he said. “Some charities have also signed up with their local zone operator to run a collection point too, which they’ll get paid for doing.”

McCallum Disability Services and Ballarat Regional Industries are two local disability support organisations running over the counter collection points and depots.

Eligible not-for-profits need to be a registered charity, or a school, and carry out activities locally. More refund points will become operational within the next nine months.