“Every single bottle or can counts. If NSW residents donate just one out of 10 of their drink containers, we could easily exceed the target of $100,000” – CEO, TOMRA Cleanaway
Youth Off The Streets and Return and Earn Join Forces to Fight Homelessness
Youth Off The Streets has joined forces with Return and Earn to raise money for vulnerable young Australians.
Youth Off The Streets is a leading not-for-profit youth services organisation that works with young people, their families and communities to create safety, offer support and provide pathways to a positive future.
Each eligible container donated to the charity via Return and Earn machines until 22nd October raises 10 cents to help Youth Off The Streets transform the lives of homeless and disadvantaged young people. The appeal aims to raise $100,000 in six months.
Last year, almost 40,000 young people aged 12–24 sought help from homelessness services in Australia. Homelessness can have serious and long-term impacts on young people as they risk becoming disconnected from school, employment and crucial support networks.
Youth Off The Streets CEO Judy Barraclough said the organisation relies on the public’s generosity to help provide crisis support and other essential services for vulnerable young people.
“The 2021 Census found that almost 25 per cent of Australians experiencing homelessness are children and young people aged between 12 and 24,” Ms Barraclough said.
“The demand for our services is soaring, and we rely on the compassion and generosity of the community through schemes like Return and Earn to help provide support to young people in need.”
CEO of scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, Danielle Smalley, sees this partnership as essential to delivering social and environmental benefits through recycling.
“Return and Earn is a hugely successful initiative in NSW and fundraising through the scheme can make an important contribution to Youth Off The Streets,” Ms Smalley said.
“With four out of five people recycling their containers through the network of more than 600 return points, it’s no surprise that over $42 million has already been raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees.”
TOMRA Cleanaway CEO James Dorney said that participating in the campaign is an easy way for the people of NSW to support those most in need.
“Every single bottle or can counts. If NSW residents donate just one out of 10 of their drink containers, we could easily exceed the target of $100,000,” Mr James Dorney said.
Reaching this milestone will also result in a positive impact on the environment. Every million bottles and cans recycled diverts 60 tonnes of materials from ending up in landfill and prevents 120 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from going into our atmosphere.
Anyone can participate in the campaign by visiting their nearest Return and Earn machine, participating return point, or choosing to donate to Youth Off The Streets via the Return and Earn App.
For more information on including checking container eligibility or the status of your nearest return point, visit: www.returnandearn.org.au
To download the Return and Earn app, search for ‘Return and Earn’ in the App Store.
This article first appeared in News Blaze.
