NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) chief has announced eight new collection points are set to open in NSW this week, bringing the total number of Return and Earn sites for the state to over 300.
According to NSW EPA’s statement, millions of eligible containers have been returned since December 1, with people from all parts of NSW participating in the container deposit scheme. As of Friday morning, 5 January, a total of 22 million containers were returned.
NSW EPA chief environmental regulator Mark Gifford said the new collection points would enable even more people to return their eligible containers and claim the 10c deposit.
“The number of returned containers is growing each week as people around NSW get behind the scheme and do the right thing by the environment with their used containers,” Gifford said.
“Now even more people can get involved, with new collection points in Tamworth, Griffith, Armidale, the Hunter, Bankstown and more – the scheme is rolling out to all corners of the state. The total number of returns is expected to reach 25 million early next week. These are huge numbers, and show just how popular the scheme is.
“And it’s not just people returning containers – the scheme operator TOMRA-Cleanaway is receiving lots of applications from the community and local businesses to host reverse vending machines and collection points. With more collection points opening even more people can get involved, which ultimately goes towards our aim of reducing litter in our environment.”
The eight new sites with reverse vending machines are all expected to be operational over the weekend. They are:
- Kurri Golf Club, Clift Street, Heddon Greta
- Bankstown Plaza, South Terrace, Bankstown
- Carlo’s SUPA IGA Tamworth, Tamworth Shopping Village
- Carter Street Cricket Grounds, Tamworth
- Carter Street Softball Grounds, Tamworth
- University of NSW, Kensington
- Griffith Food Works, Banna Avenue, Griffith
- Armidale Recycling Centre, 108 Long Swamp Road, Armidale
NSW EPA said there are another three sites are set to open soon in Edgeworth, Casino and North Griffith. As well as claiming the 10c refund at the collection points, Aussies can choose to donate that 10c to one of the first four Return and Earn donation partners: Cancer Council, St Vincent de Paul, Surf Life Saving NSW and Planet Ark.
For more information on the scheme, a map of collection points and a list of eligible drink containers, visit: www.returnandearn.org.au. Any issues with collection points can be reported to Network Operator TOMRA Cleanaway on 1800 290 691.
