Hunters Hill community members have a new place to recycle and earn a return for themselves or a chosen charity with the opening of a Return and Earn return point in Henley Community Centre precinct.

Hunter’s Hill Council has installed the reverse vending machine in partnership with the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn’s technology partner, TOMRA Collection Solutions Australia.

The machine was officially switched on Friday 19 March by enthusiastic locals from Riverside Preschool, who were on hand to deposit the first containers through the return point.
Hunters Hill Mayor Ross Williams said the machine’s installation was another step in Council’s commitment to sustainability.

“It provides a local point for residents to participate in the Return and Earn scheme, which had demonstrated a dramatic reduction in that type of waste in our community,” he said.
“And secondly, there’s the opportunity for local groups to benefit from donations through the system.”
Users can donate their recycling refund directly to a charity. Council is also seeking expressions of interest from charities to be featured on the Henley machine.

NSW Member of Parliament for Lane Cove, the Honourable Anthony Roberts, said the machine’s installation was an important initiative for Hunter’s Hill Council and would be of great benefit to local community groups.

TOMRA Collections Solutions Australia Sales Manager Brent Murray said his organisation was proud to be partnering with Hunter’s Hill Council.

“Reverse Vending Machines provide an opportunity to use community land for community benefit,” he said.

Danielle Smalley, CEO of Exchange for Change, the scheme coordinator for Return and Earn, said Hunter’s Hill Council was a welcomed partner.

“Community enthusiasm for the scheme is considerable, with three out of four NSW adults using the scheme,” she said.

“Recycling is vital to creating a sustainable future and supporting a circular economy. By delivering a reliable, transparent scheme, with a strong focus on customer service, we quickly earned the confidence and trust of NSW and this is translating into action as participation in the scheme continues to grow.”

This article first appeared on the Hunters Hill website.