Cracks are starting to appear in the state government's Return and Earn container deposit scheme, with a Hunter business pulling out, saying it's just too hard.
Along with the reverse vending machines, businesses like the Tenambit Takeaway have signed on to accept bottles and cans over the counter.
However, many are reporting they've been forced to stockpile containers because the company which organises pick-ups isn't able to respond quickly enough to collection requests due to overwhelming demand.
Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison said some businesses are owed up to $5000 which they've paid out to consumers in 10 cent refunds.
“They can go to the people who administer the funds, and they can get extra payments- but why should they have to be chasing it up?
“The government hasn’t been able to foresee what the impact of the scheme would be," Ms Aitchsison continued, “for a small business to be in arrears every day to the tune of $5000- that’s a lot of money to be out of pocket.”
She believes the state government hasn't made it worthwhile for businesses to act as collection depots.
“What is the return for the small businesses that are collecting this material for our community? If you collect half a million containers, you get around $15,000 back from the government. It sounds like a lot, but half a million is so much to process."
Ms Aitchison is calling on the government to provide reverse vending machines to the Maitland electorate to cope with the number of recyclables being deposited.
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| Tenambit Takeaway Forced To Pull Out Of Return And earn Scheme |
