This survey was conducted by University of Kentucky researchers in Wollongong, Australia to gauge public opinion on a planned container deposit system. 99 beachgoers were surveyed about their recycling habits and preferences for redeeming containers. Key findings were that less than 1/3 were aware of the upcoming program, and the most popular redemption method was donating containers to charity (76%). Providing incentives at grocery stores increased interest in using reverse vending machines to 80%. Location of recycling centers was a concern for some. The researchers concluded public preference was for convenient redemption options that did not require out-of-way trips.

1. CONTAINER DEPOSITSTUDY
OPINION SURVEYS OF BEACHGOING PUBLIC & FOOD-SERVING ESTABLISHMENTS
ConductedMarch12 – 15,2016,inWollongong,New South Wales
Associate Editors:
Heather Coon, Noelle Cordova, Tara McGinnis, Allegra Tatusko
This study partially fulfillsrequirements of University of
Kentucky (USA) GEO465 Special Topics in Geography: Applied
Research in Marine Plastics Activism. For further information,
contactthe Instructor hugh.deaner@uky.edu.
March 2016

2. Contents
Project Overview.....................................................................................................................................................1
Consumer Survey Analysis................................................................................................................................1
Café/Bar Survey Analysis...................................................................................................................................5
Appendix
Consumer Survey................................................................................................................................................7
Cafe/Bar Survey...................................................................................................................................................9
Compiled Consumer Data...........................................................................................................................10
Compiled Cafe/Bar Data..............................................................................................................................10

3. 1
Project Overview
A team of nine undergraduate researchers fromthe University of Kentucky (USA)
designed and administered two public opinion surveys in Wollongong, New South Wales,
March 12-15, 2016, to gauge attitudes withregard to a 10¢ container deposit anticipated in
July 2017. The first survey targeted the general public, particularly recreational users of
Wollongong’s beaches. The second survey targeted cafes, bars, and similar retail food
establishments that served beverages in containers. The researchers readily concedethe
limited resources behind these surveys, and thus, the preliminary nature of the raw data
and findings. At the same time, however,the researchers hold that these results usefully
clarify the current situation on the ground, whichit is hoped proves useful for advocates
and policymakersgoing forward.
Consumer Survey Analysis
The researchers polled 99 adults encountered along the north and south beaches in
the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, March 12-13, 2016. Objectiveswere to analyze
the recycling patterns of the general public, gauge the participants’ knowledge of pre-
existing recycling programs in South Australia and the Northern Territory of Australia, and
visualize behaviors following adoption of a container deposit system in New South Wales.
Key Findings
The survey uncovered twokey findings. First, less than one-third of the surveyed
public is aware that a container deposit system will be implemented in Wollongong and
New South Wales. Second, respondents considered three alternatives to household
kerbside recyclingand whether they wouldbe likely or unlikely to use each. The most
popular alternative for redeeming beverage containers was charitable donation, which
appealed to 76% of survey participants. Second, 62% of respondents expressed potential
interest in taking their containers to reverse vending machines at grocery stores. (Notably,
as discussed below, the appeal of a hypotheticalgrocer’s incentive raised interest in this
method to 80% of respondents, lifting it to the top choice.) Third, only 40% of participants
thought they might drive their containers to a recyclingcentre. Our conjecture is that
participants prefer the potential convenience of donating to charity or dropping off at their
grocery’s reverse vending machine, whichwould not require going out of their way to
collectrefunds. On the contrary, the lower percentage of participants willing to take
containers to a recyclingcentre suggests that transportation and locationof recycling
centre(s) may be a factorin choosing a method of collectingcontainer refunds.
SurveyedParticipants
Of the 99 participants surveyed, 59 people lived in Wollongong, 39 people lived in a
different part of New South Wales, and only 1 person lived outside of New South Wales.
There were 54 male and 45 female participants who were classified into one of three age

4. 2
ranges: 35 people were between 18 and 30 years; 30 people were between 31 and 50 years;
and, 33 people were 51 years and older, a nearly-even distribution. To begin, the
participants were asked if they considered container rubbish and plastic a serious problem
in the New South Wales environment. A strong majority of respondents (82%) said they
‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ this is a serious problem.
PublicAwarenessofContainerDepositSystems,ExistingandPlanned
Fewer than half of the participants (38%) had awareness of container deposit
systems operating in South Australia and the Northern Territory;and, fewerstill (34%)
were aware of the cash for containers program being implemented in Wollongong and New
South Wales. Only 17% of the participants had knowledge of both systems. Perhaps
surprisingly, among those participants aware of the existing systems in NT and SA, fewer
than one-half (46%)had any knowledge of the prospective system in New South Wales.
Among those respondents whohad knowledge of the ‘cash forcontainers’ program in New
South Wales, a subset (17%) volunteered that localnews and word of mouth were their
chief sources. Anecdotally, participants were oftenpleased to learn that an effective“best
practice” system was soon to be implemented in Wollongong and throughout New South
Wales.
CurrentKerbsideParticipation
Kerbside recycling is currently used by 85% of survey participants’ households.
After being reassured the new container deposit system willallow continued use of
residential kerbside recycling, all participants were introduced to three new alternatives for
recyclingused containers to obtain refunds: driving to recyclingcentres, reverse vending
machines, and donating used beverage containers as charitable gifts.
ThreeScenarios:RecyclingCentre,ReverseVendingMachines,andCharity
RecyclingCentre
Participants were polled to determine their willingness to drive their used beverage
containers to a recyclingcentre. Forty percent responded affirmatively;35% said they
would not; while 21% were
unsure. The 40% who said yes
were evenly divided between
male and female. Anecdotally,
many of the participants
expressed concernover recycling
centre locations as well as their
access to transportation.
ReverseVendingMachines
Sixty-three percent of
participants were willing to bring their beverage containers to their grocery store to obtain
40%
35%
21%
4%
Drive to Recyling Centre?
Yes
No
Unsure
Not applicable

5. 3
a refund froma Reverse Vending Machine. Of those willing to use a reverse vending
machine, an even distribution between the sexes (52% male and 48% female) indicates
little distinction along gender lines. The survey also found that more than one-third of
respondents (35%)replied ‘no’ or ‘unsure’ about taking beverage containers to their
grocery store. Howevernotably, when the possibility of a grocer-added incentive was
introduced, nearly one-half (46%) of those changed their minds. Thirty-twopercent (32%)
of people who originally responded ‘no’ changed their minds when an incentive was added.
Sixty-nine (69%) of survey respondents who were originally ‘unsure’ changed their minds
when an incentive was added. Withthe inclusion of a grocery incentive, four-out-of-five
respondents (79%)would be willing to take their beverage containers to a reverse vending
machine locatedat a grocery store.
Results found that nearly one-third (31%) of participants who originally said ‘no’ to
taking their beverage containers to a recyclingcentre would be willing nevertheless to take
them to a grocery store’s reverse vending machine. On a related note, 13% of those who
would take their containers to a recycling centre, would not take them to a grocery store’s
reverse vending machine.
CharitableDonation
Seventy-six percent of participants would stockpileused beverage containers in
their home to enable a charity of their choiceto pick them up and collectthe refund. Of the
76%, 42% people were males and 34%
people were females. The survey found that
25% of participants between the age group of
18 to 30 year olds, 24% of those between 31
to 50 year olds, and 27% of those 51 years
and older were likely to stockpileused
containers forcharity. Age does not appear
significant in choosing to donate used
beverage containers. Lack of storage and/or
wanting to keep refunds for themselves are
55%
45%
Charitable Donation?
Male
Female
67%
20%
11%
2%
Grocery Store RVM
(With Incentive)?
Yes
No
Unsure
Not
applicable
57%30%
11%
2%
Grocery Store RVM?
Yes
No
Unsure
Not
applicable

6. 4
likely reasons for23% of respondents were ‘unsure’ or rejected charitable donations
outright.
Noteson ConsumerSurveyMethodandAnalysis
Not all percentages add up throughout the analysis because negligible “N/A”
responses were excluded from the discussion. The survey allowed consumers to express
equal preference foreach of the three alternatives to kerbside recycling.Future researchers
may consider revisions to forceparticipants to rank their preferences among the alternative
options.

7. 5
Cafe/Bar Survey Analysis
The researchers polled 38 restaurants, cafes, bars, and similar food establishments
located in Wollongong, New South Wales, March 14-15, 2016, to uncover existing recycling
practices, gauge establishments’ general knowledge of container deposit programs in
Northern Territory and South Australia, create awareness of the prospective Container
Deposit System in New South Wales, and predict future outcomes of this New South Wales
system.
SurveyedBusinessesand CurrentRecycling Patterns
All 38 surveyed businesses sold beverages in containers. The businesses surveyed
broke down into the followingcategories: 50% cafes;21% restaurants; 16% bars; 8%
specialty shops; and, 5% combination of these categories. Overhalf of the businesses (58%)
did not currently recycle;the remaining 42% currently did recycle.Of the 42% of
businesses that currently recycle,19% had the same rubbish and recyclingpickup services,
while 81% of these businesses relied on twoseparate services. Of the 42% of businesses
that recycle,more than two-thirds (69%) have weekly service.
AverageBeverageContainersperEstablishment
Of the establishments surveyed, 84% of them sold an average of less than 500
beverage containers per week.Of these establishments, 53% were cafes, 19% were
restaurants, 13% were bars, 9% were specialty stores, and 6% were other. The other 16%
of establishments surveyed sold an average greater than or equal to 500 beverage
containers per week. These were broken downinto 33.3% bars, 33.3% restaurants, and
33.3% cafes.The data suggests that there is no relationship between the type of
establishment owned and the average number of beverage containers sold per week.
BusiestBusinessSeasons
The majority of businesses
surveyed sell the most beverages during the
summer season with 58%. The next most
popular season was winter with 16% of
businesses reporting as their busiest. Only
5% listed fall as their busiest season. The
remaining 21% of businesses did not
specify which season was their busiest.
58%
5%
16%
21%
Busiest Seasons
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Not specified

8. 6
RecyclingOptions
After being informed about
the Container Deposit System
coming to New South Wales in July
2017, the businesses were asked if
they wouldprefer to drive their
containers to a recyclingcentre for
the full $0.10 refund, or if they
would trade off a portion of the
refund to have a service take it
away.The overallresults showed
that 37% of respondents would be willing to drive their containers to the recyclingcentre
for the refund; 37% wouldpay for a service to pick up containers; 11% had no plans to
recycle;and, the remaining 16% expressed uncertainty.
Future RecyclingPlans
Results were analyzed in an effortto predict whatWollongong food businesses will
do after the container deposit system comes into use. Of the businesses surveyed, 84% sell
on average less than 500 containers per week. Of these smaller volume businesses 38%
would pay fora recycling service to pickup their containers; the same portion (38%) would
drive to a recycling centre to redeem their containers; 9% said that they don’t plan to
recycle;while the remaining businesses were unsure. Of the 16% of surveyed businesses
that sell more than 500 containers per week, one-third (33%) plan to pay a recycling
service to pickup containers; one-third (33%) wouldbe willing to drive to a recycling
centre; and, the final third were unsure or will not recycle.
Business’sConcerns
The final question was whether the businesses had any concernsregarding the new
Container Deposit System. A strong majority (76%) of the businesses expressed no
concerns. Of those businesses that expressed concerns, one-third (33%) involved worries
over added costs or depressed sales. Other concerns included the time burden, and whether
the government will be able to sustain the container deposit system over the long run.
Noteson MethodandAnalysis
Data from twovery new businesses were included despite higher uncertainty about
sales and recyclingfigures.
36%
37%
11%
16%
Recycling Options
Drive to
Recycling
Centre
Pay for Pickup
Don't plan to
recycle

9. 7
Appendix
ConsumerSurvey
Gender: ____ Male ____ Female
1. Do youlive in Wollongong, a different part of New South Wales, or somewhere else?
 Wollongong
 Differentpart of New South Wales
 Other ______________________
2. Whichage range do youbelong to?
 18-30
 31-50
 51+
3. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 strongly disagree and 5 strongly agree do you think
container rubbish and plastic is a serious problem for the New South Wales
environment?
 1: Strongly agree
 2: Agree
 3: Neutral
 4: Disagree
 5: Strongly disagree
4. Not counting coffeecups, how many single use beverage containers (i.e. cans, plastic
bottles, glass bottles) do youconsume in a week?
___________
5. Of those how many do yourecycle?
___________
6. What do you know about the South Australia and Northern Territory deposit
schemes?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Beginning in July 2017 each beverage container returned in NSW willbe worth
$0.10 to the person or organization that turns it in. What have you heard about this
cash for containers program in Wollongong and New South Wales?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. How did you learn this?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Do you use kerbside recycling at home?
 Yes
 No
 NA

10. 8
10. Would you drive yourbottles to a recycling centre?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
 NA
11. Would you save your containers and take them to yourgrocery store’s ‘reverse vending
machine’ to collectyourrefund?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
 NA
12. If there was an additional incentive, for example, if yourgrocery gave youa bonus store
voucherfor using their ‘reverse vending machine’. Would that raise your likelihood
of using it?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
 NA
13. Would you stockpile empty used containers in yourhome so a charity of your choice
could pickthem up and collectthe refund?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
 NA

11. 9
Café/BarSurvey
1. Do you owna bar, restaurant, cafe or specialty shop?
 Restaurant
 Cafe
 Bar
 Specialty (Gelato shop, bakery, smoothie shop, etc.)
 Other ____________________
2. Do you sell drinks in containers?
 Yes
 No
3. Which months are your busiest?
______________________________________________
4. During your busy season, how many drink containers on average do you sell per week?
_____________
5. During the rest of youryear, how many drink containers on average do yousell per week?
_____________
6. Does yourbusiness recyclethese drink containers?
 Yes
 No
6a. (If YES)Approximately what percentage of these containers are recycled?
_____________
7. Is yourrubbish pickup service different from yourrecyclingpickup service?
 Yes
 No
8. (If YES):How oftendoes your recyclingpick-up service comein a week?
 0 times
 1-2 times
 3-4 times
 5+ times
9. Beginning in July 2017 each beverage container returned in NSW will be worth $0.10 to
the person or organization that turns it in. What have you heard about this cash for
containers program in Wollongong and New South Wales?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. How did youlearn of this information?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Would you be willing to drive your beverage containers to the recyclingcentre for the
full $0.10 refund, OR would youtrade off a portion of your refund to have a service take it
away?
 Drive to recyclingcenter
 Pay for pick-up
 Don’t plan to recycle
 Not sure
12. Do you have any concerns foryour business regarding the Container Deposit System?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. 10
ConsumerSurveyData
Gender Live Age Problem Kerbside Centre Grocery Incentive Charity
1 54 59 35 46 84 40 62 66 76
2 45 39 30 34 13 35 22 20 13
3 1 33 16 2 21 13 11 10
4 2 0 3 2 2 0
5 1
BusinessSurveyData
Type Containers Recycle
Rubbishvs.
RecyclingPickup
Howoften
recyclingcomes
Driveor
PickUp
Busiest
Season
1 8 38 16 27 5 14 22
2 19 0 22 10 22 14 2
3 6 0 0 0 0 4 6
4 3 0 0 0 2 6 0
5 2 0 0 0 0 0 3
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Note: Numbers in the first column of data table correspond to the answer choiceon the
survey.