Narrabri locals have millions of reasons to join in the celebrations, having recycled an incredible 30 million bottles, cans and cartons through their local return points.
The return and earn scheme commenced around six years ago to give people a financial incentive to do the right thing will benefit everyone.
Since its introduction, the scheme has surpassed all expectations, with more than a billion dollars in
container refunds back into people’s pockets and almost a million tonnes of materials recycled.
Charities and local community groups and schools are also benefitting from the scheme, with $54
million raised statewide for hundreds of charities and community groups via donated refunds and
return point hosting fees.
“Congratulations to the Narrabri community for making Return and Earn part of your regular routine.” said Aileen MacDonald, member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.
“Your enthusiastic participation is playing an important role in growing our domestic circular economy and achieving a more sustainable future.”
In Narrabri the collective recycling efforts are making a difference.
The positive impact of recycling containers into new containers rather than using virgin materials is equivalent to:
- Energy savings equal to the average annual use of 315 households’
- CO2 emissions avoided equal to taking 1346 cars off the road for a year
- Water savings that could fill 71 Olympic swimming pools
“Recycling your eligible bottles, cartons and cans through Return and Earn is an easy way for all of
us to help the environment and support the work of some amazing local charities,” said Ms MacDonald.
“With all plastic and glass drink containers collected through the network recycled in Australia, Return
and Earn has led to a 54% reduction in drink container litter since pre-scheme levels and become a
leading contributor to our growing domestic circular economy.”
Altogether, NSW celebrates an incredible Return and Earn milestone of 11 billion containers recycled.
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