Owner of Tamworth’s Cellarbrations bottle shop, Stephen Young, welcomed the arrival of Tamworth’s first Container Deposit Scheme reverse vending machine (RVM), but said that it is 64 days too late.
The scheme was rolled out across the state in December, although consumers have been paying 14 to 20 cents more per bottle since November 1.
“I can see the merit in the scheme, and I think everyone will, it has just been really poorly executed by the state government,” he said.
“They have certainly got the cart before the horse – they have been charging to implement it since November, but in a major centre like Tamworth there has been nowhere to collect the refund.”
Mr Young put in an expression of interest to the EPA to have an RVM at his Goonoo Goonoo rd store in August, although is still yet to hear back, and has since lost interest.
“From what I have seen they look like they could be more hassle than they are worth – there has been a real lack of communication from the government.”
