Nelson Bay and Tanilba Bay are the two latest locations to receive return and earn kiosks as part of the statewide initiative to cut down on littering.
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The reverse-vending machines will allow residents to claim back 10 cents for each returned drink container at the Coles on Beatty Boulevard at Tanilba Bay and at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club on Stockton Street, with the latter providing vouchers to Woolworths.
“It all happened within two weeks,” the bowling club’s secretary manager Dean McCarthy said.
“They approached us and we thought ‘what a great idea’.”
The bowling club agreed to provide space in its car park at The Landmark. The club is creating a shortlist of community groups it will support through the initiative.
“From our point of view the great thing is that we can give these groups all our empty stubbies for them to return and claim the refund,” Mr McCarthy said.
The Nelson Bay return and earn will be open from 8am until 8pm each day.
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“There’s been a great response so far,” Mr McCarthy said.
“It’s mostly people with domestic waste but we’ve seen a few commercial operators claiming the refund too. People are keeping it clean so far.”
Both the Nelson Bay and Tanilba Bay machines officially went online from Saturday. Tanilba Bay’s hours are 7am to 10 pm.
Port Stephens Duty MLC Catherine Cusack announced the two new machines.
“People will be able to receive a docket redeemable for cash, an electronic transfer using PayPal or choose to donate their refund directly to charities at the machine,” she said. “Return and Earn is the largest litter reduction initiative to be introduced in NSW, and now there are more collection points for people to be involved.”
NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said the new collection points were two of more than 600 operational sites across the state, with more to be rolled out in the weeks to come.
The new machines will join over-the-counter collections at the Birubi Point Surf Life Saving Club at Anna Bay and the Nelson Bay Newsagency.
“There has been widespread community support for Return and Earn, with over 331 million containers returned across the state since December 1,” Ms Upton said.
Most drink containers between 150ml and three litres are eligible for the 10c refund. Containers should be intact (not crushed or broken) and have a readable barcode. For more information, including a full list of eligible containers and opening hours for over-the-counter return locations, visit: www.returnandearn.org.au