Cessnock residents have a new location to recycle their eligible bottles and cans, with a brand-new Return and Earn machine now open at Bellbird Park Bowling Club.
The newly installed Return and Earn machine is the seventh return point in the Cessnock area, offering locals an additional convenient option to return their eligible containers and receive the 10-cent refund.
“The Cessnock community are already enthusiastic recyclers, having returned over 149.7 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons through local return points since the scheme began,” said James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway, the network operator for the scheme.
The new machine provides users with several options for redeeming their refund.
They can print a voucher for cash redemption at Woolworths, opt for an e-voucher, or receive payment directly into their bank or PayPal account via the Return and Earn app.
Additionally, users have the choice to donate their refunds to local charities, such as Riding for the Disabled Raymond Terrace & Lower Hunter, the John Hunter Children’s Hospital Kid’s Club, and WIRES Wildlife Rescue.
Alternatively, they can support the state-wide appeal for Little Wings, which provides essential transport for seriously ill children from regional and remote areas of NSW.
Since the scheme’s launch, more than 11.7 billion containers have been returned for recycling through 630 return points across NSW, resulting in over $1 billion in refunds.
Return and Earn has also become a significant fundraising avenue, generating more than $54 million for charities and community groups statewide.
The Bellbird Return and Earn machine is situated at the Bellbird Park Bowling Club, 21 Hetton Street, Bellbird, and operates daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
“I encourage everyone to make Return and Earn a part of your regular recycling routine. Together we can all contribute to a more sustainable future, where the materials that our bottles, cans and cartons are made of are kept in use and out of landfill,” Dorney added.
