A new pick up app for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) has been launched making the scheme more accessible, with a particular benefit to local businesses wanting to do their part for the environment.
Minister for Recycling and Waste Reduction, Chris Steel, said, “We’ve seen thousands of Canberrans really embrace the CDS making use of the 21 return points across the Territory. This new app provides a method for people who might not have the time or the means to drop off their containers at a return point.
“We want to increase the number of containers deposited and we recognise that getting local business involved and making it easier for them to return large amounts of containers is the most logical way of doing this.
“Having a collection service is a great way for business to return containers without the hassle of their staff driving potentially thousands of containers to the return points each week.”
Return-It Collect is a mobile service that allows users to book a collection of eligible beverage containers from their business or home. The containers can be handed over in person or left in a safe place for the driver to collect.
The app operates a similar way to ride sharing services, so users get real-time updates on when the driver will be arriving, when their containers have been collected, and when they’ve been counted.
Return-It Collect charge a fee of 4 cents per container to cover the cost of providing the service.
“Canberrans really care about our environment and have been early adopters of new technology, such as Uber, which is why the ACT is a natural place for Return-It to launch this innovative new service.”
Return-It Collect will also allow users to track their environmental impact, in terms of energy and greenhouse gas savings as well as reducing waste to landfill.
Over 41 million containers have been returned the ACT CDS network since it began in June 2018.
