FEATURED TOPIC – CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEMES
From good to great: a CDS opportunity RETURN-IT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARC CHURCHIN BELIEVES TASMANIA AND VICTORIA ARE POSITIONED FOR A SHOT AT THE TITLE OF ‘BEST AUSTRALIAN CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME’.
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n a few years’ time, no one will be talking about which Australian jurisdiction was last, third last, or fifth last to introduce its Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). Marc Churchin, Chief Executive Officer of Return-It believes all the conversation will be around which is the best scheme. He says there has been a false dichotomy suggesting the only choice for Tasmania or Victoria is to exactly follow New South Wales, or exactly follow Queensland. Both jurisdictions chose a ‘split responsibility’ model akin to the ACT and NSW. However, having an appropriate governance mechanism does not have to limit innovation within the collection network. It also does not preclude the opportunities for community groups and charities, as evidenced across QLD and WA. Re.Group is an Australian company that specialises in recycling and resource recovery. Back when NSW and the ACT first signalled their plans to introduce a modern CDS, Re.Group approached the challenge with a mindset that was technologically agnostic. Marc says the approach strongly aligned with the values of balancing the needs of people, the planet and profit. This led to the establishment of Return-It. The company places special focus on forging relationships with various charities, social enterprises and
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Social connection is a key element of a successful Container Deposit Scheme.
community groups and embraces a broad range of technologies and systems from local and global providers. “Return-It is now the biggest operator of container refund depots across Australia, working across the ACT, NSW, QLD and WA,” he says. “Do you know what is the big difference for customers in each state? Nothing. Every one of Return-It’s customers, from Canberra to Cairns and from Perth to Geraldton, gets the same 10c for returning the same eligible containers.” So, if the fundamental service is the same in all Australian schemes – develop collection points that are safe and convenient, count and verify eligible containers, and pay customers the correct refund – how will the ‘best Australian CDS’ be judged? Marc says it’s all about the ‘plus, plus’ aspects. This is determined by
which jurisdiction does the best job of leveraging its CDS networks to create additional social and environmental benefits in a cost-efficient and sustainable way. “The ACT chose to put humans at the centre of its scheme, with a deliberate effort to maximise social connection through staffed depots and integration of return points with existing charity stores. “Since June 2018, the ACT CDS has continued to innovate and evolve – it’s a diverse and inclusive model, not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. “Don’t feel like talking to depot staff today? Then use one of the drop-and-go PODs open 24/7. Want to help the kids earn pocket money while teaching them about recycling? Go to a depot where they can feed their own bottles and cans onto a conveyor and walk out with cash
