Australian government initiative Return and Earn has revealed that Guildford locals have returned an estimated 2,250,475 bottles and containers – earning nearly $200,000 in refunds – through its container deposit scheme during the past year.
Guildford is one of many towns participating in the program, which has collected more than 7.8 billion containers for recycling since its launch in 2017.
For every eligible can, bottle, or carton that consumers return at designated recycling containers, they receive a 10c refund. They can also choose to donate their rebate to any of the scheme’s charity partners displayed on the machines, including Animal Welfare League NSW, Givit, and Asylum Seekers Centre – which recently raised $10,020 from container refunds.
Customers also have the option to print a retail cash voucher for the refund amount, which they can redeem at Woolworths. Or, they can opt to receive an e-voucher, direct bank deposit, or Paypal deposit using the Return and Earn app.
The scheme reported that 53 per cent of the items recycled so far are made from plastic.
“We are thrilled to see so many people engaging with the Return and Earn Centre at Guildford,” said James Dorney, CEO of Tomra Cleanaway – the network operator of the scheme.
“The scheme plays such an important role in Australia’s fight against waste, and thanks to these users, over 2 million containers and bottles have effectively been stopped from entering landfill or being littered in the community.”
“Combined with household recycling, the return point allows us all to take part in reducing millions of containers littering NSW’s environment every year while also being rewarded for our efforts,” added Dorney.
