NEWS DESK
Western Port
Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty Ltd
PHONE: 03 5974 9000 Published weekly. Circulation: 15,000
Journalists: Keith Platt, Liz Bell, Brodie Cowburn Ph: 5974 9000. Email: team@mpnews.com.au Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson, 0425 867 578 Real Estate Account Manager: Ricky Thompson, 0425 867 578 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Danielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Craig MacKenzie. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: www.mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURS 16 NOVEMBER 2023 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WED 22 NOVEMBER 2023
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Recycling scheme’s unhappy returns Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au THE start of the much-hyped container deposit scheme on 1 November has highlighted flaws in the program and drawn criticism from environment groups and the state opposition. The state government financed scheme provides a 10-cent refund for returned eligible cans, cartons and bottles, and has been promoted as an important component of the recycling system and a way to cut litter. But by the second day of the trial, some container bins on the Mornington Peninsula were too full to receive any more due to members of the public loading them up with cans they had been saving. There have also been reports across Victoria of machines in car parks not working, and locations for drop off sites disappearing off the state website. According to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, which does not run the scheme, there are 12 collection sites, including reverse vending machines, drop off depots and over-the-counter points across the shire. On the peninsula, the scheme is being delivered by network operator Return-It, with unbroken cans, bottles and cartons being accepted. Glass wine bottles, milk cartons, and bottles containing cordial or concentrated fruit juice are not accepted. There is growing concern that Victorians will turn away from the scheme unless problems are resolved quickly. When the scheme was announced
THE reverse vending machine at Sages Cottage in Bater was full by Thursday, two days after installation, and unable to accept more containers. Picture: Gary Sissons by the state government, environmental advocate the Boomerang Alliance said it needed to be “best scheme maximising recycling; with great convenience for consumers who want to redeem their 10 cents and a credible governance system”. But it says the scheme is disappointing, with not enough refund points and differences in the quality and convenience of the small number of points. The alliance says that container deposit schemes are in place in more than 40 countries or states around the world, with the best ones demonstrating a more than 95 per cent return rate. Opposition spokesman for the envi-
ronment James Newbury said the roll out of the collection points was a massive let down for Victorians who had waited years for Labor to introduce a working container deposit scheme “only to find out the state government has stuffed it up”. “Acknowledging the chaos, environmental advocates, including the Boomerang Alliance, have called for a delay in the scheme’s commencement as government is not ready to manage the estimated three billion eligible beverages consumed in Victoria each year,” he said. The state government says it requires operators to establish more deposit points over the next 12 months.
Detox your Home accepts:
Detox your Home is coming to Mornington Detox your Home is Victoria’s free, safe way to dispose of unwanted household and garden chemicals – without harming your health or the environment.
Acids and alkalis
Herbicides and weed killers
Aerosol cans Ammonia based cleaners
Insect spray, pesticides, rat poison
Anti-freeze, coolant
Oven cleaner
Brake fluid
Pool chemicals
Car care products and waxes
Solvents
Cooking oil
Thinners, turps and paint stripper
Cosmetics, nail polish and remover Detergents, bleach, disinfectants and drain cleaner Fertilisers
Transmission fluid Wood preservatives and finishes And other items found at home with these symbols:
Fire extinguishers Floor-care products and waxes Fuels: petrol, diesel, kerosene
For a full list of chemicals accepted, visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ accepteditems
Register today for Sustainability Victoria’s free household chemical drop-off day, supported by Mornington Peninsula Shire.
Glues: water-based and solvents
Mornington Event
Household paint is not accepted and can be dropped at any Paintback location see Paintback.com.au/find-location
Saturday 25 November 2023 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Mornington Waste and Recovery Centre 134 Watt Road, Mornington
Hand sanitiser
To register to attend Scan the QR code, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome or call 1300 363 744
Detox your Home events are drive-through and contactless. For safety reasons we can’t accept containers of more than 20 litres or 20 kilograms. Chemicals can’t be emptied out of their containers and the containers cannot be returned to you, so bring them in the original packaging or disposable containers.
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Western Port News
15 November 2023
