The ACT Container Deposit Scheme has really taken off at Canberra Airport’s six cafes and restaurants, with more than 11,000 containers having been returned in just three months.

With thousands of people streaming through Canberra Airport each day, the retail team saw an opportunity to showcase container recycling to a vast audience.

“Being at an airport, we have high exposure and high impact opportunities,” said Canberra Airport Retail site manager Luke Tulloch. “In any one day, we could have 4000 to 5000 people flying out, so that is a lot of opportunities to show others how easy container recycling is to roll out.”

ReturnIt supplied branded purple drop-off bins for each of the airport’s six cafes and restaurants, and all the empty cans and bottles are returned for recycling with the ACT Container Deposit Scheme. The Canberra Airport Retail team uses a dedicated app to schedule container collections, monitor the number of cans and bottles returned, and track funds raised.

Luke said that through this initiative, they can help the planet in multiple ways. As well as demonstrating what is possible to airport customers, they divert empty containers from landfill, and with the income they generate through the 10c refunds, they are able to invest in even more environmental initiatives. 

“I have had quite a few people reach out to me asking for more details on the program and how they can get involved,” he said.

According to Luke, he also sees it as way to help balance the environmental impact of flying.

“There is a lot of awareness about the emissions caused by planes, and knowing that we’re doing everything we can at the airport to combat that and make a difference is great,” he said.

In just three months, more than 11,000 containers have been returned through the initiative, with the number expected to grow as airport traffic returns to pre-Covid levels. Some of the funds raised have gone to OzHarvest, and some will go towards initiatives such as installing low energy lighting at the airport.

“The team decided to split the funds fifty-fifty between local charities and environmental activities within the airport,” said Luke.

He said that he and the team had also been thrilled to receive positive feedback from customers.

“We receive comments like, ‘Oh, it’s great to see you’re recycling here in the airport’, and ‘I wish our café back home would do this’. It really makes our day when we hear this.”

Personally, Luke said knowing that he was making a difference, no matter how small or big, was rewarding.

“I am hoping to settle down in the next few years and start a family, and knowing that in some way I have helped create a cleaner environment and a better planet is enough,” he said.

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