Collecting for Community
Collecting for Community is a six-month Council trial aimed at:
- diverting refundable recyclables from landfill;
- helping people facing financial hardship earn extra income by accessing 10-cent refundable containers through the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)in a dignified and safe manner; and
- supporting community group fundraising.
How it works
25 recycling baskets for 10-cent refundable containers have been installed on public waste bins in parks, gardens and shopping areas across Mount Barker district.
There are three different types of recycling baskets:
How you can help
Supporting Collecting for Community is easy.
Simply divert your 10 cent container from bin to basket.
When you’re out and about, please put your empty 10-cent refundable bottles, cans or cartons into one of our clearly marked CDS recycling baskets attached to public waste bins.
Do not put them in the public bin.
What’s accepted
Containers eligible for a 10-cent refund are typically made from aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard and are clearly marked.
They include:
- water bottles – carbonated + non-carbonated + flavoured
- soft + energy drink bottles and cans
- sports drinks
- fruit and vegetable juice bottles + cans + cartons
- ‘Up and Go’ cartons
- flavoured milk bottles + cartons
- beer and cider bottles + cans
Many containers that aren’t eligible for a refund can still be recycled in your yellow kerbside bin at home.
What’s not accepted
Containers not eligible for a 10-cent refund are unmarked and include:
- coffee cups
- plain milk containers
- large beverage pouches
- cordial or syrup containers
- health tonics and probiotics
Many containers that aren’t eligible for a refund can still be recycled in your yellow kerbside bin at home.
Keeping recyclables out of landfill
10-cent refundable containers can be recycled into new products.
Recycling these valuable items will:
- reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill;
- conserve natural resources because recycling is more water and energy efficient than producing materials from scratch;
- ease demand for raw material extraction; and
- lower pollution levels.
Supporting people in need
Australia is in a cost-of-living crisis – everyday essentials are getting more expensive.
People are making ends meet by collecting refundable containers and cashing them in but rummaging through public bins is messy and potentially hazardous.
Dedicated CDS recycling baskets attached to bins in public places will make the process safer and more dignified for people who rely on refundable containers for extra money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - anyone can collect from the recycling baskets. We ask that you please consider people who rely on this money to make ends meet and community groups to help them fundraise.
Recycling baskets have been installed on selected public waste bins in busy areas such as parks, and public streets for this trial, with high foot traffic and known higher levels of CDS containers being deposited in them.
If the six-month trial is successful, Council will consider if the initiative will be made permanent and potentially expanded to other locations.
This is not encouraged, the aim is to divert bottles and cans currently going into the public waste bins from landfill, not to add extra in these public locations.
Mount Barker district has refund points in Hahndorf and Mount Barker.
For more information visit: Collection and recycling depots | EPA
Please contact council on 8391 7200 or report on the My Local Service app.
Please contact council on 8391 7200 to speak to a staff member of council who can help with your enquiry.