Less than nine months after opening its doors, the Vinnies Return and Earn Bulk Container Deposit Centre in Dubbo has processed more than seven million bottles, cans and containers for recycling.
NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders congratulated the team operating the Dubbo facility, as well as the local community, for reaching the impressive milestone in such a short period of time.
“It is really heartening to see how well the community has embraced the Return and Earn scheme,” Mr Saunders said.
“The Vinnies bulk return point on Douglas Mawson Drive has been a huge hit since its opening in October last year.
“Overall, residents in the Dubbo electorate have recycled more than 61 million drink containers through the scheme since it launched more than two years ago, but more than seven million of those have been at the bulk facility which is terrific to see.”
Return and Earn is the largest litter reduction initiative to be introduced in NSW. Since launching in December 2017, more than 3.6 billion containers have been returned for recycling through its state-wide network of return points.
The Vinnies Bulk Container Deposit Centre in Dubbo is operated by Vinnies in collaboration with Regional Enterprise Development Institute Ltd (REDI.E) and in partnership with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.
It is one of six Return and Earn automated depots operated by Vinnies, which receives the handling fee together with any donated container refunds from consumers to help support their important work in the local community.
Return and Earn participants receive 10c for each eligible container returned and can choose to donate some or all of their refund to Vinnies.
“This milestone highlights the success of the scheme in fundamentally changing people’s thinking and behaviour around litter. It also demonstrates how we can all work together and do our bit to reduce the volume of litter while achieving great outcomes for our environment and our community,” Mr Saunders said.
