Maryborough’s Container Deposit drop off sites have been temporarily closed this week after the scheme proved so popular with locals, that both sites hit storage capacity within weeks of opening.

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme — where residents can get 10 cents back for every bottle or can they trade in at drop off sites around the state — launched on November 1 and less than two weeks in, local drop off points have reached capacity.

The Asteria Services site at 64-68 Nelson Street has been closed since Saturday, while Waste Recyclers of Victoria at 12 Madmans Lane in Flagstaff are facing the same problem, forced to turn people away this week.

The Advertiser understands the sites will be closed until the current bottles and cans have been collected, and that while a pick up was expected for local sites today, it has not been confirmed if they will be able to reopen, or for how long due to the backlog.

Asteria has asked residents to keep an eye on their Facebook page ‘ASTERIA Services Inc’ for reopening information, or to call the office on 5461-4111.

Waste Recyclers of Victoria’s Mark Raven said it’s been a challenge to accommodate the volume of cans and bottles dropped off.

“We’ve tried to stay open as long we possibly can but we have been extremely overwhelmed with the amount of 10 cent deposit materials coming in,” he said.

“Everyone seems to have a ute or a trailer filled up, not just a bag full.

“On Wednesday within two to three hours we took in 15,000 units [cans or bottles].

“We don’t have any more storage space — we’ve been storing them in wool packs, cages, bins, whatever we can find because we’ve only been allocated 11 collection bins from the State Government.”

Mr Raven said it’s hard to estimate when the site will be able to accept more drop offs, but encouraged residents to call ahead first on 0419 876 038 to check if the site is open.

For more information about the scheme and for a map of all Victorian drop off sites visit cdsvic.org.au