Maricel Giorgioni, a general manager at Aspen Medical, has embraced the ACT Container Deposit Scheme, working with her colleagues and local schools to return containers to raise money for charity. She has donated proceeds from this initiative to different not-for-profit organisations.

“It covers multiple social impacts I believe in. It increases awareness about climate change, and encourages others, particularly children, to recycle and at the same time support others who are in need,” she said.

The Container Deposit Scheme refunds 10 cents for each container – bottles, cans, and cartons – Canberrans return. Since it began in June 2018, Canberrans have returned 366 million drink containers, reducing litter and landfill.

Ms Giorgioni began collecting and returning containers with help from her colleagues at Aspen Medical, as well as working with local schools.

“Colleagues at Aspen Medical bring their containers to the office, and once the container returns bin is full, I take it to a deposit point. I then donate the proceeds to the organisation. Aspen Medical matches a certain amount of what I donate from collecting bottles,” she said.

So far, she has collected 36,139 bottles and donated $3,613.90.

“At the moment, it’s challenging. Because many people work from home, I promote it in the organisation by sending out emails to keep people updated about how many bottles and cans we have collected, and how much has been raised for charity.”

Ms Giorgioni’s chosen charity is Global School Partners, which partners Australian schools with schools in Kenya to alleviate poverty and improve education and health for students in developing countries.

“It supports children and teachers in Africa,” she said. “It’s a small organisation, and all donations go towards projects.”

Kathy Laudenbach, a teacher at St Jude’s Primary School, Holder, collaborates with Ms Giorgioni to organise container collections at the school.

Ms Laudenbach said the Year 5 students have worked hard to educate and encourage their peers.

“We had a number of assemblies where the Year 5 children spoke about the scheme and how the money we raise here does so much for our partner school in Kenya,” she said.

The container collections have also become a part of her teaching for the young pupils.

“We talk about the impact all these containers have on the environment, and our responsibility as global citizens to reduce landfill as part of our Science, Religion, and Business and Economics programs,” Ms Laudenbach said.

“It’s a good activity for the students to learn about recycling and to reach out to other children in need,” Ms Giorgioni added.

To find out more about the ACT Container Deposit Scheme or find your nearest return point, visit actcds.com.au.