Parkes residents now have a new destination to recycle their eligible bottles and cans with the opening of a Return and Earn machine at the Parkes Services Club.

This latest addition marks the third return point in the Parkes Shire Council area, giving locals increased opportunities to participate in the recycling scheme and earn a 10-cent refund per container, as revealed in a news release. 

“Parkes Share Council residents are already enthusiastic recyclers, having returned over39.4 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons through local return points since the scheme began,” said James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway, the operator of the Return and Earn network.

The new machine offers several refund options. Users can print a voucher to redeem for cash at Coles or opt for digital payments directly to their bank or PayPal account through the Return and Earn app. 

Additionally, residents can donate their refunds to various charitable partners listed in the app.

One of the key donation options currently available is a state-wide appeal supporting Little Wings, a charity that provides free air and ground transport for seriously ill children from regional and remote areas of NSW, helping them access critical medical treatment.

Since the scheme’s inception, more than 12 billion containers have been recycled through the network of over 630 return points across NSW, putting over $1.2 billion back into the community through refunds.

Return and Earn serves as a fundraising platform for numerous charities and community groups across NSW, generating over $62 million through donations and hosting fees since its launch.

Dorney emphasised the importance of the new Parkes machine in encouraging locals to make recycling part of their daily habits. 

“Together, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future, where the materials from our bottles, cans, and cartons are kept in use and out of landfill,” Dorney said.

The new machine is located in the Parkes Services Club car park at 20 Caledonia Street and operates from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.

For more details, visit: www.returnandearn.org.au.

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A new Containers for Change refund point has launched in Brisbane just in time for the scheme’s expansion to include all glass wine and pure spirit bottles, which will begin on 1 November.

Under the new service, customers will be able to drop off their containers in the drive-through in Windsor and have them counted by staff without having to leave their vehicle. A bag drop service will also be available on-site for those not able to wait, the Queensland government said in a media release. 

The new facility is expected to support six jobs in the local community and will add to more than 360 refund points already in operation across Queensland. 

Beginning on Wednesday, all refund points across Queensland will accept glass wine and pure spirit bottles in exchange for 10-cent refunds. 

“The opening of this new container refund point in Windsor and the nation-leading inclusion of glass wine and pure spirit bottles from Wednesday demonstrates that the Palaszczuk Government’s popular container refund scheme continues to go from strength to strength,” said Minister for Environment Leann Linard. 

“Our decision to include glass wine and pure spirit bottles followed an extensive consultation period, during which more than 6,600 Queenslanders shared their thoughts about including additional containers in the refund program.”

The Containers for Change scheme celebrates its fifth anniversary on 1 November.

Since its inception, more than 7.1 billion containers have been returned to refund points across Queensland. In 2023 alone, a record 1.23 billion containers have been deposited at refund points. 

The Queensland government has worked closely with Container Exchange to manage the Containers for Change program and ensure industry and facilities are ready for the change. 

“The Department of Environment and Science and Container Exchange have been actively engaging with wine manufacturers to help them prepare for the expansion. In recent weeks, I have also met with representatives from peak bodies representing wine and spirit producers and I thank them for their cooperation in implementing this important initiative,” Linard added. 

For more information about Containers for Change, visit www.containersforchange.com.au/qld. 

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The Armidale Regional Council has sold and shipped approximately 20 tonnes of mixed plastics to Impact Recycling based in Queensland, demonstrating the city’s cutting-edge crate recycling system. 

In a news release, the council said this latest batch includes assorted mix plastics including household containers and bottles and some discontinued wheelie bins.

Mark Low, manager of Armidale Recycling Services (ARS), said this huge export occurs at a time when many recycling facilities are suffering and unable to sell their goods, reducing the life of landfills and increasing the costs to councils and communities.

“Armidale has an outstanding waste management record. With recently upgraded recycling facilities and a high level of community participation, our recycling figures are exceptional,” said Low.

According to him, many in the sector are finding it difficult to sell their plastics since there is less demand, but product quality and cleanliness are essential for getting sales.

“Separation at the source by our community members means contamination is kept to a minimum and it’s the quality of the final product that has led the facility to securing this contract,” Low added.

Sam Coupland, mayor of the Armidale Regional Council, expressed gratitude to the community for its commitment to reducing waste and promoting environmental sustainability,  saying “the hard work is paying off.”

“We have an engaged community who care about the environment and reducing waste. This twenty tonnes of mixed plastics is evidence of that,” the mayor noted.

Mayor Coupland pointed out the move enables reuse and diverts a considerable amount of garbage from landfills while proudly boasting one of the highest capture rates in Australia which is currently 97 per cent.

ARS, which has been in operation for 18 years, is contracted to process recycling materials from Armidale Regional Council’s kerbside collection service and the community support in separating recyclables at home is keeping contamination rates low and turning recyclables into sales.

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