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CONVERTING TRASH TO TREASURE
$8B success of Return and Earn SASWATI MUKHERJEE
I
N what could be called a pleasing milestone for the state, a whopping eight billion bottles, cans and drink cartons have now been returned through the ‘NSW Return and Earn’ network. The state touched the high figure in mid-September. Western Sydney had a significant role to play in helping NSW reach its record numbers. Blacktown City Council residents have returned over 455.3 million containers through their 29 local return points since the commencement of this program in 2017, thereby claiming the top spot in the state. City of Parramatta Council residents have returned over 64.7 million containers through their 12 local return points in the same period of time. Significantly, Greater Western Sydney residents together have returned a massive 2.4 billion containers so far. In overall second spot is Central Coast Council, who have recycled 387.2 million containers through their 27 local return points. Essentially, the Return and Earn program has fundamentally shifted people’s behavior and become an integral part of people’s life in NSW. As many as 78% of adults have participated in it so far and two-thirds do so at least once in a month.
Parramatta is a standout in the Return and Earn game.
Lauding the effort, Minister for Environment James Griffin has praised the community for transforming the recycle process. “Return and Earn is a highly successful NSW Government initiative that has well and truly changed the way we think about recycling and litter by turning trash into treasure,” said Mr Griffin. The Minister believes that what was once
seen as waste has now been able to be converted into a valuable resource for the recycling industry, bringing in huge refunds to the community. “Since it began in 2017, eight billion containers have now been returned, delivering $800 million in refunds to the people of NSW, and helping us reduce drink container litter by a massive 52%, certainly a huge win for our environment,” added Mr Griffin. As a result of this effective recycling, all returned plastic containers and glass bottles are being able to be given a new life, turned back into new food and drink containers and stocked back at the supermarket shelves within a span of few weeks. Return and Earn has contributed more than $35 million to community groups and charities since 2017. Significantly, Vinnies has seven Return and Earn depots across NSW where around 30 people have been successfully able to process 95 million containers in the last financial year.
At a glance • Blacktown City Council locals have claimed top spot in NSW returning 455.3 million containers. • In second place is Central Coast Council where residents have returned 387.2 million containers. • City of Canterbury Bankstown residents are at the third spot in NSW having returned 328.7 million containers. • Greater Western Sydney residents together have returned 2.4 billion containers. • There are over 620 return points located across the state, from self-service machines to staffed automated depots for bulk returns. • The current state-wide donation partner of the Return and Earn program is Animal Welfare League, NSW. They have already raised more than $75,000 since April 2022.
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