Melton residents are champions when it comes to recyling with more than 14.7 million containers returned to the Melton depot since the state government’s Container Deposit Scheme started in November.
Williamstown is leading the state with over 18.6 million containers returned while Melton is Melbourne’s second-best performing site with residents having returned 14.7 million containers.
Across Victoria more than 500 million cans and bottles have been recycled. An average of 138 containers are returned per transaction with CDS Vic processing around 17 million cans, cartons and bottles statewide every week.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos visited the CDS Vic Depot in Melton last week.
Mr Dimopoulos said containers collected through CDS Vic are transformed into all kinds of new things, including material for roads, furniture, construction, textiles and more – creating new economic opportunities that will support more than 600 jobs across Victoria.
He said thanks to the generosity of Victorians, more than $260,000 has already been donated to the scheme’s 3000 participating charity partners – including Citizen Blue in Williamstown, Scouts Victoria in Glen Waverley and Envirobank in Kangaroo Flat and East Bendigo.
Melton MP Steve McGhie congratulated Melton residents for their commitment to recycling.
“Residents right across Melton have embraced our recycling initiative – reducing landfill and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets,“ said Mr McGhie.
The Melton depot which has handled 14.7 million cans, glass, and PET plastics in just over six months is operated by KARI in partnership with Clean Vibes, a sustainable event waste management company.
KARI is a not-for-profit organisation that supports Aboriginal families and youth. They also manage a second refund point in Coburg North and employ 17 people from mostly First Nations backgrounds across both sites.
Once fully rolled out in August, Victorians will be able to return eligible drink containers to around 600 refund points across the state. To find your nearest refund point and for more information, visit cdsvic.org.au.
