Hustling for Environmental Change
As I was crushing the various empties left over from the Craccum launch party in the wee hours of Saturday morning for easier recycling, inspiration struck. How was I to reconcile the ideas of both hustle and the environment for this week’s article? A task which previously had been giving me no end of grief. Most times, when we hear the word “hustle,” it conjures images of side street black market merchants hawking their ill-gotten wares or various shakedowns for services of protection or of a more exotic nature. Not exactly the kind of thing which draws easy, clean parallels to the environment or conservation.
Yet, as I stood there amidst the remnants of our celebration, the penny dropped. The hustle needed in today’s world isn’t about quick cash through dubious means but about sustainable and innovative practices that not only save but also earn money. This is where the concept of container return schemes comes into play, a system that could turn the tide on recycling efforts while making fat stacks for Aotearoa’s student population.
We drink from over two billion glass, plastic, and metal single-use drink containers each year in our beautiful country. Shockingly, it is estimated that over half of these empty beverage containers end up in landfills, unused stockpiles, or littering our streets, public spaces, streams, beaches, and the ocean. The impact of this waste isn’t just unsightly, it’s environmental and contributes to the degradation of habitats and losses in biodiversity.
Container return schemes offer a glimmer of hope. They encourage consumers and businesses to return beverage containers for recycling and reuse by including a refundable deposit in the price of purchase. Simply returning an empty bottle (or can) to a designated drop-off point for recycling can see consumers getting their deposit back, usually around 20 cents or more per container. Internationally, these deposits can range from 7 to 49 cents, showcasing the potential for significant earnings based on the volume of recyclables processed.
The benefits of such schemes are obvious; firstly, they help to increase recycling rates, ensuring materials like glass, plastic, and metal are repurposed rather than discarded. Secondly, they play a crucial role in reducing litter, making our public spaces cleaner and more inviting. Finally, by decreasing the need for virgin packaging production, such programs can lead to a reduction in emissions, contributing to the fight against the climate crisis. With over 50 programs operating or in the process of being established globally (including in Australia, Canada, the USA, and Europe) container return schemes can reduce beverage container litter by 60 per cent or more.
Unfortunately, New Zealand doesn’t currently offer a specific can recycling program. However, companies like Sims Metal and other scrap yards will happily pay citizens and businesses for cans and other miscellaneous scrap. This opens up a pathway for students looking for a side hustle to turn their trash into cash.
But it’s not just about drink containers. With the rising popularity of magnet fishing (a hobby where individuals use strong magnets to fish for old junk illegally dumped in waterways), there’s another opportunity to turn trash into treasure. From discarded bicycles to tools and jewelry, magnet fishing not only cleans up our waterways but can also uncover items of value.
So, how can students and environmentally conscious individuals get involved? With organisation and community engagement. By setting up collection points at universities, hostels, and local community centers, we can create a network of recycling hubs that make participation in container return schemes and scrap metal collection easier and more accessible; environmental clubs and societies could also organize regular magnet fishing outings, combining social activity with environmental cleanup.
The key to this successful side hustle is volume. The more containers and scrap metal you collect and return, the higher the potential earnings. Collaborating with local businesses, cafes, and bars to collect their empty containers will only amplify the amount of recyclables processed. Meanwhile, education and awareness campaigns will offer wider community participation, increasing the impact of these efforts.
As the cost of living and inflation rises, finding cunning ways to earn a cheeky bit of extra cash is more important than ever. Container return schemes and other recycling initiatives not only offer financial incentives but also align with sustainable living ideals. For students and young people across our fair, green country, this isn’t just a side hustle; it’s environmental responsibility in motion! A tangible (and profitable) way to make a difference, one container and one piece of old junk at a time.
Information provided by the ministry for the environment via their website https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/waste/container-return-scheme/https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/waste/container-return-scheme/
