South Australia is one of the best places to recycle glass bottles and cans. This is because we have a recycling depot SA network with convenient container return points around the state.
Our container deposit scheme (CDS) is the first in Australia. It provides a 10-cent refund at collection depots for eligible containers sold in SA.
Container Deposit Scheme
The Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is a bottle return scheme that offers a 10-cent refund on eligible bottles and cans. It is provided by most states in Australia and aims to promote recycling and reduce litter.
South Australia was the first Australian state to introduce a CDS in 1977, and it has been incredibly successful in reducing litter, increasing resource recovery and reducing waste going to landfill. For example, around 600 million drink containers are returned yearly for refund and recycling, preventing them from being littered or sent to landfill.
Container refund schemes have traditionally been focused on containers more likely to end up as litter – soft drink cans, beer bottles and small flavoured milk or juice containers. However, a more comprehensive range of beverage containers would increase the amount of recycled material and help promote a circular economy.
Glass Bottle Recycling
When your bottles and cans are collected from Return and Earn, they are always sorted cleanly to prevent contamination. This ensures that the recycled materials are efficiently and safely used in a circular production loop that makes new products.
This process conserves over 1.1 tonnes of raw materials per tonne and helps keep South Australia looking beautiful by significantly reducing drink container litter. It is estimated that the South Australian deposit refund scheme has reduced waste by more than 80%, and only 2.2% of containers have gone to landfill!
When your glass bottle is returned through the government’s deposit refund scheme, it will be shredded into flakes and sent to a glass recycling plant where they are melted down, reformed and refilled to create new bottles. The process is quick and efficient, allowing them to be back on the shelf in your local store in as little as 30 days.
Plastic Bottle Recycling
Recycling depot SA recycles all types of plastic bottles and cans. This is a great way to save the environment as plastic can be recycled and reused in making new products such as bottles, packaging and furniture.
There are three types of drink bottles sold in Adelaide; polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PET drinks containers are clear and melt at 80 deg Celsius, while HDPE and PVC are often opaque with a waxy surface; they usually melt at 75deg Celsius.
All lids must be removed before a bottle is sorted during the recycling process. This helps the recycling process run smoother as the bottles are compressed under high pressure into cubes called ‘bales’ that can be easily handled and moved.
The container deposit scheme is a great way to recycle drink bottles and cans in Australia. It offers a 10-cent refund to those who return eligible containers, helping to keep our waste out of landfill and waterways.
Can Recycling
Recycling cans is a great way to earn money, contribute to a cleaner environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also an easy way to help your local community.
Pooraka Bottle & Can Depot is one of the most popular can recycling centres Adelaide residents visit. They collect and sort cans, sending them to a materials recovery facility where they’re melted into aluminium sheets and sold to manufacturers to make more beverage cans.
If you’re looking for a place to recycle your cans, ensure they’re free of food residue or liquids that might contaminate the recyclables. You should also remove any paper labels before taking them to the recycling centre so they can be recycled separately.
Recycling Depot SA
Recycling depot SA provides a comprehensive range of waste disposal services six days a week. Local Adelaide Hills residents, community groups, schools and businesses use the Depot to recycle unwanted rubbish.
Deposit Bottles
The recycling depot takes many drink containers for the deposit refund program, including plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminium cans and cardboard cartons. It pays a 10-cent refund when containers are returned to an approved collection depot in South Australia, NT, NSW, ACT or QLD, and they have the appropriate label.
Other Containers
The Depot also accepts a range of other waste products, some of which may be paid for and others that are convenient drop-off points. These items include beverage cans, glass bottles, aluminium, steel and PET liquid paperboard.