On December 1 the NSW government will launch the new Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).
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The scheme will see consumers recycle their used containers by returning them to Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) kiosks and receive 10 cents for every eligible container returned.
However the unseen aspect of the scheme has been that wholesalers have raised the price of bottles and cans by 13 to 15 cents which local sellers have had to pass on to customers.
Gunnedah publican Mandy Fathers from the Imperial Hotel said she would soon have to raise drink prices.
“We haven’t passed along the cost to our customers just yet,” Mrs Fathers said.
“But a price rise is not too far away.
“Most of our drink sales are drinks off tap which helps us not raise prices there but I think we will have to raise the price of our bottles and cans by about 10 cents to try and make up the difference.”
Mrs Fathers said the pub is currently displaying signage informing patrons of the price increase.
“We have had our signage up for a while now,” she said.
“Our signs, basically are telling customers that prices are going up and why they’re going up.”
All major supermarkets across NSW will see a price hike in beverages due to the scheme.
A Coles spokesperson said the scheme will affect the price of beverages in their stores.
“The NSW government has introduced a Container Deposit Scheme for some beverage containers with the aim of reducing litter,” the spokesperson said.
“Unfortunately, as our beverage suppliers are charging us increased prices on eligible containers, plus the cost of administering the scheme, the price of those affected beverages will increase.
“Coles has consistently lowered prices for our customers every year for the past eight years and we remain committed to reducing the cost of a weekly shop for our customers.”
Woolworths was also contacted for comment but did not respond by time of publication.
Locals can choose to donate their refund directly to selected charities, receive the refund via electronic payment to their registered account or use a credit voucher towards their shopping at Woolworths or simply redeem for cash in Woolworths supermarkets across NSW.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
