Return and Earn hits five million
More than five million drink containers have been returned through the State’s Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn, in just under two weeks
“This is a great milestone and I want to thank everyone who has got involved in the scheme so far,” Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said.
“This is just the start – the scheme will make a massive difference by reducing litter in our environment.”
The state-wide average returns for each day is more than 400,000 containers. A record-breaking 500,000 containers were returned on Sunday, 10 December.
Reverse vending machines in Casula, Granville, Revesby, Emerton, Springdale Heights and Mayfield continue to receive high returns, with more than 130,000 drink containers received at each site since the Scheme started on 1 December.
Return and Earn continues to roll out, with reverse vending machines recently installed in Lismore, Shellharbour, Goulburn, Corrimal and Jesmond.
There are a total of 281 sites open to receive drink containers.
“The roll-out is gathering momentum and many more sites will be added in coming weeks,” Ms Upton said.
“Return and Earn is giving people an incentive to recycle their drink containers which will help to reduce the 160 million bottles littered in our environment every year.”
Most drink containers between 150mls and three litres will be eligible for a refund.
Eligible drink containers have been selected based on those most commonly found in the NSW environment and to align with schemes in SA and the NT.
For more information on the Scheme and a list of eligible drink containers, visit: www.returnandearn.org.au.