Sudden price hike on bottled water leads to surprising discovery: ‘I'm being penalised if I recycle at home?’

One of the most important sustainable living practices we can do is reducing, reusing and recycling—especially when it comes to packaging materials, such as plastic bottles and cans.

To get us all into recycling, state governments have introduced container deposit schemes.

However, it seems Aussies weren’t prepared for the way this was going to affect their budget.



The new container deposit scheme rewards recyclers with a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle they dispose of.

But one disgruntled shopper complained on social media about the sudden price hike on a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which he bought for $10.50.


40-price-rise-in-9-days-v0-jjb2g1lksiyb1.png
The price increase of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles sparked outrage on social media. Credit: u/farqueue2 / Reddit




'I paid $7.50 just nine days ago,' he said.

'That's a 40 per cent price rise in just over a week.'

He posted two images of his receipts from different Woolworths stores in Melbourne, showing the price of the water was $7.50 on October 27, then surged to $10.50 on Sunday.

Some users told the shopper to drink tap water instead and stop ‘whinging about a couple of dollars.’ However, other users said the higher price was likely because of Victoria’s new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).



Victoria’s CDS was launched last 1 November, which aimed to increase recycling while providing consumers with a ‘convenient and accessible’ way to dispose of their used products.

Victoria was the latest state to implement CDS. South Australia implemented its own CDS in 1977, quickly followed by NSW in 2017, Queensland in 2018, and Western Australia in 2020.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said, ‘Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme is funded by the beverage industry. It will reduce litter by up to half and contribute to the circular economy through increased recycling.’



A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed this was the reason for the price hike, saying it had been ‘working through the implementation of the container deposit scheme with our supply partners’.

'The shelf price has increased to $10.50 in line with the shelf price in other states that have already adopted container deposit schemes, which has been communicated to customers in our stores,' they said regarding the Nu Pure Spring Water pack.

The spokesperson also added that the product would be available at a special rate 'over the months ahead'.

Despite the consequences of the well-meaning effort, some could not help but air their disappointment.

One customer complained, 'I thought I'd like a refund scheme instead of just recycling all at home, but now I'm being penalised if I recycle at home and drinks are more expensive? I don't like it anymore.'


Key Takeaways
  • Victoria's new container deposit scheme (CDS), which offers a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle returned for recycling, has seemingly caused price rises in Woolworths.
  • The shopper complained about the sudden increase in the price of a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which jumped from $7.50 to $10.50 within a week.
  • The retailer confirmed that the scheme is impacting prices and added that they have been working through its implementation with their supply partners.
  • Some customers have expressed frustration at the scheme's impact on drink prices, feeling penalised for recycling at home when prices of beverages are also increasing.

Other supermarket giants are also taking the step towards changing waste management. In a previous story, Coles supermarket began installing a new type of machine to insert empty drinks and receive a 10-cent refund instantly. Read more about the story here.

What do you think about the story? Have you tried recycling using the CDS? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments below!
 
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One of the most important sustainable living practices we can do is reducing, reusing and recycling—especially when it comes to packaging materials, such as plastic bottles and cans.

To get us all into recycling, state governments have introduced container deposit schemes.

However, it seems Aussies weren’t prepared for the way this was going to affect their budget.



The new container deposit scheme rewards recyclers with a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle they dispose of.

But one disgruntled shopper complained on social media about the sudden price hike on a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which he bought for $10.50.


View attachment 34097
The price increase of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles sparked outrage on social media. Credit: u/farqueue2 / Reddit




'I paid $7.50 just nine days ago,' he said.

'That's a 40 per cent price rise in just over a week.'

He posted two images of his receipts from different Woolworths stores in Melbourne, showing the price of the water was $7.50 on October 27, then surged to $10.50 on Sunday.

Some users told the shopper to drink tap water instead and stop ‘whinging about a couple of dollars.’ However, other users said the higher price was likely because of Victoria’s new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).



Victoria’s CDS was launched last 1 November, which aimed to increase recycling while providing consumers with a ‘convenient and accessible’ way to dispose of their used products.

Victoria was the latest state to implement CDS. South Australia implemented its own CDS in 1977, quickly followed by NSW in 2017, Queensland in 2018, and Western Australia in 2020.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said, ‘Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme is funded by the beverage industry. It will reduce litter by up to half and contribute to the circular economy through increased recycling.’



A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed this was the reason for the price hike, saying it had been ‘working through the implementation of the container deposit scheme with our supply partners’.

'The shelf price has increased to $10.50 in line with the shelf price in other states that have already adopted container deposit schemes, which has been communicated to customers in our stores,' they said regarding the Nu Pure Spring Water pack.

The spokesperson also added that the product would be available at a special rate 'over the months ahead'.

Despite the consequences of the well-meaning effort, some could not help but air their disappointment.

One customer complained, 'I thought I'd like a refund scheme instead of just recycling all at home, but now I'm being penalised if I recycle at home and drinks are more expensive? I don't like it anymore.'


Key Takeaways

  • Victoria's new container deposit scheme (CDS), which offers a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle returned for recycling, has seemingly caused price rises in Woolworths.
  • The shopper complained about the sudden increase in the price of a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which jumped from $7.50 to $10.50 within a week.
  • The retailer confirmed that the scheme is impacting prices and added that they have been working through its implementation with their supply partners.
  • Some customers have expressed frustration at the scheme's impact on drink prices, feeling penalised for recycling at home when prices of beverages are also increasing.

Other supermarket giants are also taking the step towards changing waste management. In a previous story, Coles supermarket began installing a new type of machine to insert empty drinks and receive a 10-cent refund instantly. Read more about the story here.

What do you think about the story? Have you tried recycling using the CDS? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments below!
What’s wrong with your tap water 💦 that’s all I drink.i can’t imagine paying for water it’d cost me a fortune the amount I drink in a day.💦
 
One of the most important sustainable living practices we can do is reducing, reusing and recycling—especially when it comes to packaging materials, such as plastic bottles and cans.

To get us all into recycling, state governments have introduced container deposit schemes.

However, it seems Aussies weren’t prepared for the way this was going to affect their budget.



The new container deposit scheme rewards recyclers with a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle they dispose of.

But one disgruntled shopper complained on social media about the sudden price hike on a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which he bought for $10.50.


View attachment 34097
The price increase of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles sparked outrage on social media. Credit: u/farqueue2 / Reddit




'I paid $7.50 just nine days ago,' he said.

'That's a 40 per cent price rise in just over a week.'

He posted two images of his receipts from different Woolworths stores in Melbourne, showing the price of the water was $7.50 on October 27, then surged to $10.50 on Sunday.

Some users told the shopper to drink tap water instead and stop ‘whinging about a couple of dollars.’ However, other users said the higher price was likely because of Victoria’s new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).



Victoria’s CDS was launched last 1 November, which aimed to increase recycling while providing consumers with a ‘convenient and accessible’ way to dispose of their used products.

Victoria was the latest state to implement CDS. South Australia implemented its own CDS in 1977, quickly followed by NSW in 2017, Queensland in 2018, and Western Australia in 2020.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said, ‘Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme is funded by the beverage industry. It will reduce litter by up to half and contribute to the circular economy through increased recycling.’



A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed this was the reason for the price hike, saying it had been ‘working through the implementation of the container deposit scheme with our supply partners’.

'The shelf price has increased to $10.50 in line with the shelf price in other states that have already adopted container deposit schemes, which has been communicated to customers in our stores,' they said regarding the Nu Pure Spring Water pack.

The spokesperson also added that the product would be available at a special rate 'over the months ahead'.

Despite the consequences of the well-meaning effort, some could not help but air their disappointment.

One customer complained, 'I thought I'd like a refund scheme instead of just recycling all at home, but now I'm being penalised if I recycle at home and drinks are more expensive? I don't like it anymore.'


Key Takeaways

  • Victoria's new container deposit scheme (CDS), which offers a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle returned for recycling, has seemingly caused price rises in Woolworths.
  • The shopper complained about the sudden increase in the price of a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which jumped from $7.50 to $10.50 within a week.
  • The retailer confirmed that the scheme is impacting prices and added that they have been working through its implementation with their supply partners.
  • Some customers have expressed frustration at the scheme's impact on drink prices, feeling penalised for recycling at home when prices of beverages are also increasing.

Other supermarket giants are also taking the step towards changing waste management. In a previous story, Coles supermarket began installing a new type of machine to insert empty drinks and receive a 10-cent refund instantly. Read more about the story here.

What do you think about the story? Have you tried recycling using the CDS? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments below!
It’s just another way they get at us
 
One of the most important sustainable living practices we can do is reducing, reusing and recycling—especially when it comes to packaging materials, such as plastic bottles and cans.

To get us all into recycling, state governments have introduced container deposit schemes.

However, it seems Aussies weren’t prepared for the way this was going to affect their budget.



The new container deposit scheme rewards recyclers with a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle they dispose of.

But one disgruntled shopper complained on social media about the sudden price hike on a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which he bought for $10.50.


View attachment 34097
The price increase of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles sparked outrage on social media. Credit: u/farqueue2 / Reddit




'I paid $7.50 just nine days ago,' he said.

'That's a 40 per cent price rise in just over a week.'

He posted two images of his receipts from different Woolworths stores in Melbourne, showing the price of the water was $7.50 on October 27, then surged to $10.50 on Sunday.

Some users told the shopper to drink tap water instead and stop ‘whinging about a couple of dollars.’ However, other users said the higher price was likely because of Victoria’s new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).



Victoria’s CDS was launched last 1 November, which aimed to increase recycling while providing consumers with a ‘convenient and accessible’ way to dispose of their used products.

Victoria was the latest state to implement CDS. South Australia implemented its own CDS in 1977, quickly followed by NSW in 2017, Queensland in 2018, and Western Australia in 2020.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said, ‘Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme is funded by the beverage industry. It will reduce litter by up to half and contribute to the circular economy through increased recycling.’



A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed this was the reason for the price hike, saying it had been ‘working through the implementation of the container deposit scheme with our supply partners’.

'The shelf price has increased to $10.50 in line with the shelf price in other states that have already adopted container deposit schemes, which has been communicated to customers in our stores,' they said regarding the Nu Pure Spring Water pack.

The spokesperson also added that the product would be available at a special rate 'over the months ahead'.

Despite the consequences of the well-meaning effort, some could not help but air their disappointment.

One customer complained, 'I thought I'd like a refund scheme instead of just recycling all at home, but now I'm being penalised if I recycle at home and drinks are more expensive? I don't like it anymore.'


Key Takeaways

  • Victoria's new container deposit scheme (CDS), which offers a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle returned for recycling, has seemingly caused price rises in Woolworths.
  • The shopper complained about the sudden increase in the price of a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which jumped from $7.50 to $10.50 within a week.
  • The retailer confirmed that the scheme is impacting prices and added that they have been working through its implementation with their supply partners.
  • Some customers have expressed frustration at the scheme's impact on drink prices, feeling penalised for recycling at home when prices of beverages are also increasing.

Other supermarket giants are also taking the step towards changing waste management. In a previous story, Coles supermarket began installing a new type of machine to insert empty drinks and receive a 10-cent refund instantly. Read more about the story here.

What do you think about the story? Have you tried recycling using the CDS? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments below!
For a start, you do not receive a $0.10 refund on the bottles and cans because you have already paid the $0.10. Plus the fact you have to waste your time collecting, and bagging and incur cost in the fuel you uses to drive to the recycler and the time wasted while they process your returns..... the whole thing is a scam.
I won't get involved with the cost of the recycling depots. That is another story.....
 
I buy the Coles brand water or the Costco water . I buy the 1.5 litre bottle.

I also have 3 x 15 litre bottles delivered every two weeks for our water cooler. I don't buy the small bottles , that is where the cost is.
My kids and hubby fill their bottles up using the water cooler

Hubby used the return bottle machines but we now have a man collect them for 9c instead of 10c but we save with petrol and time.
He doesn't count them he takes your word plus he supplies the large bags to put them it.

I m actually the only one in ny family who drink tap water not the bottled water. I only drunk bottled water only when I'm out n about
 
Last edited:
One of the most important sustainable living practices we can do is reducing, reusing and recycling—especially when it comes to packaging materials, such as plastic bottles and cans.

To get us all into recycling, state governments have introduced container deposit schemes.

However, it seems Aussies weren’t prepared for the way this was going to affect their budget.



The new container deposit scheme rewards recyclers with a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle they dispose of.

But one disgruntled shopper complained on social media about the sudden price hike on a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which he bought for $10.50.


View attachment 34097
The price increase of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles sparked outrage on social media. Credit: u/farqueue2 / Reddit




'I paid $7.50 just nine days ago,' he said.

'That's a 40 per cent price rise in just over a week.'

He posted two images of his receipts from different Woolworths stores in Melbourne, showing the price of the water was $7.50 on October 27, then surged to $10.50 on Sunday.

Some users told the shopper to drink tap water instead and stop ‘whinging about a couple of dollars.’ However, other users said the higher price was likely because of Victoria’s new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).



Victoria’s CDS was launched last 1 November, which aimed to increase recycling while providing consumers with a ‘convenient and accessible’ way to dispose of their used products.

Victoria was the latest state to implement CDS. South Australia implemented its own CDS in 1977, quickly followed by NSW in 2017, Queensland in 2018, and Western Australia in 2020.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said, ‘Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme is funded by the beverage industry. It will reduce litter by up to half and contribute to the circular economy through increased recycling.’



A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed this was the reason for the price hike, saying it had been ‘working through the implementation of the container deposit scheme with our supply partners’.

'The shelf price has increased to $10.50 in line with the shelf price in other states that have already adopted container deposit schemes, which has been communicated to customers in our stores,' they said regarding the Nu Pure Spring Water pack.

The spokesperson also added that the product would be available at a special rate 'over the months ahead'.

Despite the consequences of the well-meaning effort, some could not help but air their disappointment.

One customer complained, 'I thought I'd like a refund scheme instead of just recycling all at home, but now I'm being penalised if I recycle at home and drinks are more expensive? I don't like it anymore.'


Key Takeaways

  • Victoria's new container deposit scheme (CDS), which offers a 10-cent refund for every can and bottle returned for recycling, has seemingly caused price rises in Woolworths.
  • The shopper complained about the sudden increase in the price of a 20-pack of Nu Pure Spring Water bottles, which jumped from $7.50 to $10.50 within a week.
  • The retailer confirmed that the scheme is impacting prices and added that they have been working through its implementation with their supply partners.
  • Some customers have expressed frustration at the scheme's impact on drink prices, feeling penalised for recycling at home when prices of beverages are also increasing.

Other supermarket giants are also taking the step towards changing waste management. In a previous story, Coles supermarket began installing a new type of machine to insert empty drinks and receive a 10-cent refund instantly. Read more about the story here.

What do you think about the story? Have you tried recycling using the CDS? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments below!
It's not just water, it's everything. The supermarkets are taking people for a complete ride. Cereal, meat, baked beans you name it, they've hiked it under the guise of transportation costs etc etc yet they've all managed to post unconscionable exorbitant profits. That makes them liars.
 
For a start, you do not receive a $0.10 refund on the bottles and cans because you have already paid the $0.10. Plus the fact you have to waste your time collecting, and bagging and incur cost in the fuel you uses to drive to the recycler and the time wasted while they process your returns..... the whole thing is a scam.
I won't get involved with the cost of the recycling depots. That is another story.....
 
Some need to look up the meaning of the word"refund" You pay 10 cents and get it back when you return the item. If it is not returned you get nothing. If you have a bag beside your waste bin and put them in it when you put out other rubbish what time are you wasting? You go shopping - combine the recycling with that. Oh sorry - you are so busy you do not have a spare 5 minutes - stop whinging . The streets and highways are much cleaner in recycle states and kids can earn a little extra money - every dollar helps these days.
 
It's not just water, it's everything. The supermarkets are taking people for a complete ride. Cereal, meat, baked beans you name it, they've hiked it under the guise of transportation costs etc etc yet they've all managed to post unconscionable exorbitant profits. That makes them liars.
Price of water went up $3. My maths for 24 bottles at 10 cents each makes increase required $2.40 . No wonder prices have gone through the roof. Seems their pricing system is way different to ours. Now you know the real reason for inflation
 
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It always amazes me how one word becomes so overused "HIKE" us to mean a very large increase now if something goes up a couple of cents it's a hike not a rise or increase case in point interest rate goes up 25 basis points that is now called a hike used to be called an increase
 
I buy the Coles brand water or the Costco water . I buy the 1.5 litre bottle.

I also have 3 x 15 litre bottles delivered every two weeks for our water cooler. I don't buy the small bottles , that is where the cost is.
My kids and hubby fill their bottles up using the water cooler

Hubby used the return bottle machines but we now have a man collect them for 9c instead of 10c but we save with petrol and time.
He doesn't count them he takes your word plus he supplies the large bags to put them it.

I m actually the only one in ny family who drink tap water not the bottled water. I only drunk bottled water only when I'm out n about
When we go out we have bottled tap water
 
Whinge, whinge, whinge people are never happy.
As Ann Head said refund means exactly that, you have paid for the bottle and when you return it you get a refund. Der.
You don't need to make a special trip to return them, just fit it in to another day when you are out and about, it doesn't take that long.
Must admit though, supermarkets are still ripping us off adding an extra
,60cents to the cost.
If you don't like it drink tap water.
Simple. Don't know why people whinge about the cost of living and then pay for bottled water???
 
I actually refilled four bottles that my son bought and put them in the fridge. I usually have a jug of chilled tap water.
My doggy wash lady asked for a drink of water, I gave her one of the
bottles, after which she thanked me and commented how much better bottled water was than tap water.
Silly twit had just drank tap water, didn't know the difference. All in the mind I think
 
What’s wrong with your tap water 💦 that’s all I drink.i can’t imagine paying for water it’d cost me a fortune the amount I drink in a day.💦
Not everybody has good tap water sadly. Also, I have a CPAP machine and sometimes distilled or demineralised water is hard to get so I need to have bottled water on hand as that is the next best thing (though not as good as the previous two mentioned). You will ruin your humidifier and machine if you use tap water in it.
 
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Some need to look up the meaning of the word"refund" You pay 10 cents and get it back when you return the item. If it is not returned you get nothing. If you have a bag beside your waste bin and put them in it when you put out other rubbish what time are you wasting? You go shopping - combine the recycling with that. Oh sorry - you are so busy you do not have a spare 5 minutes - stop whinging . The streets and highways are much cleaner in recycle states and kids can earn a little extra money - every dollar helps these days.
You are conveniently forgetting that there is a huge sector of the community who do NOT have cars or who are, due to illness, housebound and who have NO access to these facilities. A lot of people also have no recycling centre for bottles with 10km of them currently.
 
I actually refilled four bottles that my son bought and put them in the fridge. I usually have a jug of chilled tap water.
My doggy wash lady asked for a drink of water, I gave her one of the
bottles, after which she thanked me and commented how much better bottled water was than tap water.
Silly twit had just drank tap water, didn't know the difference. All in the mind I think
😹😹🌹
 
You are conveniently forgetting that there is a huge sector of the community who do NOT have cars or who are, due to illness, housebound and who have NO access to these facilities. A lot of people also have no recycling centre for bottles with 10km of them currently.
There are not too many people out there who don't have family or friends to help. Some charities pick up if you want to donate the refund
If you managed to buy the bottles in the first place then you should be able to return them, unless you have home delivery.
Water is water. Instead of making excuses find a solution. Even if your tap water isn't the best, boil it and then chill it
My daughter soaks the bottles in Milton and uses them over and over with tap water.
There's always a solution
 
What is wrong with tap water? Added fluoride
I’ve been drinking tap water all my life and “I’m still alive and kicking” ducky quack quack🦀and at 65 i’ve still got my own teeth.😁oh and I remember when kids our parents used to give us fluoride tablets before it was introduced into the water.😊
 

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