Jaidyn Kennedy
TOMRA Cleanaway’s Victorian Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) network has been making a difference in the lives of many in the north and west since its inception last November.
Alysha Constable from Melton started collecting bottles and cans with her son during covid as an activity and to teach him how to play his part in helping the environment.
When they began depositing them for refunds in November, her life changed for the better.
The ongoing cost of living crisis has made the already challenging task of being a single mother to a nine-year-old even trickier.
“It’s given me the opportunity to actually do some work and make some money in an unconventional way,“ she said.
“Knowing that even though I’m on a pension and have a disability, I am still going to be able to make enough money for my son and I.“
Financial relief is far from the only benefit the CDS has provided Alysha, it has also helped her overcome tough times and gain a sense of purpose through meeting others and immersing herself in nature.
Dealing with social anxiety has provided a barrier to working in conventional workplaces for Alysha, so being able to choose her own hours, locations and workload has given her a sense of independence.
As a lifelong advocate for the environment, cleaning up her local area has become a mission of sorts for Alysha, who wants to leave the planet in good shape for the likes of her son.
“If we can reduce the amount of pressure that the next generation is going to feel that’s awesome,“ she said.
However, the sheer amount of litter she sees means that there is still plenty of work to do.
“It’s just so sad to see people still doing it. I want my son to learn it’s so important not to do that,“ she said.
The ability to exercise while doing something purposeful has been an added bonus.
“TOMRA, inadvertently I’d say, has actually given me all of these new things in my life that I just didn’t see coming – and it’s been fantastic.
“This actually working, it’s making a difference in people’s lives- and it’s definitely made a difference to my life.“
While unable to recall the exact amount she has recycled, Alysha estimates it has been at least her own body weight.
TOMRA Cleanaway surpassed its goal of installing 180 sites by August 2024 reaching 196, including 16 in the last two weeks.
Almost $30,000,000 has been refunded in Victoria.
Residents of the West Zone can download the CDS Vic West Zone app to check on the live status of their local refund point, verify container eligibility, and manage and track container refunds.
Details: mytomra.com.au/locations/vic-container-deposit-scheme/
