It’s so unfair, we say, that South Australia consumers are able to redeem 10 cents a bottle and here in NSW we get diddly-squat.

Well a container deposit scheme is just around the corner at long last, but the reality might not be what we hoped. 

For one, the average consumer is going to be paying more. 

Prices could rise up to 20 cents for bottles subject to the scheme – some bottle shops expect 15 cents-plus per unit.

So that bottle of water or soft drink at lunch, or if you’re lucky, a stubby of beer, is going to cost extra.

But guess how much we will get for depositing them back in? That’s right, still 10 cents. 

So for those people who already recycle as they should, they will receive no reward – in fact, they will be worse off. 

Advocates for the container deposit scheme point to waterways after heavy storms, choked with bottles, or litter in public places.

But unless redeeming the refund is easy, it’s unlikely to make an impression.

And for that, there needs to be more community education, particularly about the location and number of collection points.

If that information is not made top of mind for consumers or even drummed into their heads, then they make still take the easier option of tossing a bottle in a nearby bin.

The benefit, hopefully, will lie in those who usually throw their recyclables into landfill, who are encouraged by the refund.

After all, they will be paying more for their goods too and perhaps the psychological impact of receiving money for effort could make a difference. 

Then there are those who see the money-making potential on a larger scale and make a point of collecting discarded bottles to make a little extra pocket money as they did in generations past. 

Organisations could also seek donations of bottles to donate the proceeds to charity. 

But seeing as from Wednesday we will already be paying for this scheme, the collection points need to be clarified soon so consumers can start taking part. The campaign to educate and convince them also needs to be out there.

Without those steps, we’re paying more money for no reason.