Canberra Centre has taken a major step forward in sustainability with the launch of a new ‘return for charity bins’ turning bottles and cans into funds for local charities, the first of their kind in an ACT shopping centre.
The Canberra Centre partnered with ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) and network operator Return-It, to introduce these smart bins.
Each bin features a barcode scanner and only opens when an eligible ACT CDS container is scanned. Customers are invited to return their ACT CDS eligible bottles, cans and cartons with the refunds from the containers collected going to support local charities.
Once the bins are full, Canberra Centre staff remove the bags and book a pick up with ACT CDS mobile collection service, ReCollect, run by Return-It.
ACT CDS mobile collection service, ReCollect, is available to any business, organisation or individual in the ACT who has more than 300 containers to collect.
The Canberra Centre receives a 7c refund for each container collected, with the collection service charging a 3c fee per container to facilitate the collection.
The Centre donates all their container refunds to local charities,
“This initiative not only helps to reduce waste but also makes it simple for our customers to give back to the community,” said Clare Glassford, Services Manager of Canberra Centre.
For the launch of the program, Canberra Centre has partnered with Roundabout Canberra, a local charity that provides essential baby gear such as cots, prams, and highchairs, to families in need.
“We are proud to partner with Roundabout Canberra, ensuring that every small donation contributes to a larger cause, helping local families in need,” said Clare.
The first Canberra Centre ‘return for charity’ bin is located at the Lower Ground Food Court (near the escalators) with the second bin located in Coles Mall (outside Bakers Delight).
