By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Reverse vending machines could be trialled in Melton in a bid to reduce the amount of rubbish heading to landfill.
Mayor Bob Turner moved a notice of motion at last week’s council meeting asking officers to investigate trialling the program and the costs associated with it.
Cr Turner told Star Weekly that Melton residents he had spoken with supported the idea of reverse vending machines.
“There are so many bottles and cans that end up in the tip … so this is just a case of trying to encourage people to recycle,” Cr Turner said.
“I believe this is something we should investigate, to get some background on it, if it’s feasible, and if it is, it will be fantastic.”
Nearby Wyndham council was the first Victorian council to introduce reverse vending machines in late 2016.
Wyndham city economy, innovation and liveability director Peter McKinnon said the council “wholeheartedly” encouraged others to jump on board and introduce reverse vending machines.
The machines are slightly different to container deposit schemes, in that they offer rewards such as discounts at local stores, entries into major prize draws and donations to charity instead of cash.
“Council allocated $150,000 for this initiative over three years and in the 2017-18 year 46,031 bottles and cans were deposited through the reverse vending machines,” Mr McKinnon said.
“The internal technology of each machine can identify when a contaminated item has been deposited and will reject it. This means that only plastic and aluminium bottles and cans can be deposited.”
Pressure has been mounting on the state government to introduce container deposit schemes.
Victorian Greens deputy leader Nina Springle said the state government needed to commit to a statewide solution.
“We need support and direction coming from state and federal governments, and we’re not getting it,” Ms Springle said.
The state government was contacted for comment.
