The recycling program was implemented as a result of Alice Springs Town Council receiving a $10,000 grant through the Environment NT Grants Program to undertake a can recycling program. The project was also extended with the further allocation of $10,000 from Council’s own funds.

“Alice Springs Town Council has firmly believed for some time that the introduction of Container Deposit Legislation would assist in the reduction of litter in the community,” said Mayor Fran Kilgariff.

“We now have solid statistical data, which has been obtained from the success of the recycling program. Council will be able to continue to lobby the Northern Territory Government to yet again reconsider the introduction of a Container Deposit Legislation in the Territory,” said Mayor Fran Kilgariff.

Council received $1 per kilogram for the cans during the duration of the project, and this money was injected back into the programme to extend it for as long as possible.

“The programme has received great community support, and Council extends its thanks and appreciation to everyone in Alice Springs who became involved in the project,” said Mayor Fran Kilgariff.

“The positive feedback we have received, and the community support for the can recycling program has been overwhelming. Every day people were bringing in their cans – sometimes only a few at a time, and other times up to 500 at a time. At the beginning of December, over $16,500 had been paid out in can refunds to the community,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

For further information contact:

Mayor Fran Kilgariff (08) 8950 0525 or 0419376060

ASTC Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney (08) 89500526 or 0427161956

ASTC Media Officer Fionn Muster (08) 89500546 or 0417884449