Monday 1 November 2021 marked the commencement of TOMRA and Cleanaway’s  newest charity recycling campaign, ‘Containers for Kids’. In partnership with the Starlight Children’s Foundation the campaign aims at raising $250,000 to brighten the lives of sick kids. Until April 2022, container deposit scheme participants across Australia will be able to donate their 10c refund to the campaign by selecting Starlight Children’s Foundation on any reverse vending machine.

How can you participate in NSW?

In NSW, Return and Earn are supporting the initiative, with 100% of the refunds donated helping Starlight deliver its in-hospital services, including Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Rooms (SER) to sick kids and teens across NSW Children’s hospitals (Randwick, Westmead and John Hunter).

Your drink container donation has meaning to the campaign;

  • 5 drink container refunds donated can provide a hospitalised child a set of Captain Starlight stickers.
  • 20 drink container refunds donated can help provide a hospitalised child a Captain Starlight colouring in book and pencils
  • 50 drink container refunds donated can help bring the fun and laughter of Captain Starlight to a child too sick to leave the ward.
  • 390 drink container refunds donated can provide access to the Starlight Express Room for a sick kid for the length of their stay

NSW Environment Minister, Matt Kean, supports the campaign

Environment Minister Matt Kean said of the launch, everyone can donate the proceeds from their eligible beverage containers to the Containers 4 Kids campaign at any Return and Earn machine and help to raise $250,000.

“We’re encouraging NSW recyclers to return their bottles and cans and donate their refunds to help brighten the lives of sick kids in NSW,” Mr Kean said.

“The new Containers 4 Kids campaign will support the Starlight Children’s Foundation to deliver vital in-hospital services like Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Rooms across NSW.

“With visitations heavily restricted due to COVID-19, sick kids in hospital are experiencing isolation from loved ones, and the need for Starlight’s vital services and positive distraction has never been greater.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for NSW recyclers to help a fantastic cause.”

Recyclers in NSW can donate their 10 cent refunds at any Return and Earn reverse vending machine by selecting ‘donate’ on the screen and choosing ‘Containers 4 Kids’. One hundred per cent of the refunds will go directly to Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Four-year-old Aru had a life-saving heart transplant and is a beneficiary of Starlight’s services. Read Aru’s full story here to understand the challenges facing children in hospital and their families, and see how Starlight can make a difference with the help of Return and Earn.

CEO of Starlight Louise Baxter said: “Starlight has been there for sick kids throughout the challenges of the past 18 months. Only with the help of the community and our valued partners such as Return and Earn, TOMRA and Cleanaway can we continue to bring happiness to sick kids when they need it most.”

The Containers 4 Kids campaign was launched on 1 November 2021 and will run until 3 April 2022.

To find your nearest Return and Earn RVM go to returnandearn.org.au.

This article first appeared on the Eco Voice website.