Lane Cove residents are keen to be involved in the NSW container deposit scheme called Return and Earn. The Scheme commenced on 1 December 2017 and residents can earn 10 cents for each eligible container returned.
The Lane Cove Sustainability Action Group was one of the driving forces behind the introduction of the scheme. Does anyone remember the Van parked near Dymocks Lane Cove with the giant Coke Bottle on top?
The problem is that Lane Cove started with three collection points and now there are NONE.
Reverse Vending Machine Possible Lane Cove Location
ITC asked the Lane Cove Council why there are no return and earn reverse vending machines in Lane Cove. Lane Cove Council advised they have been working with the company engaged to manage the role out of the Reverse Vending Machines – Tombra. Together with Tombra, Council staff visited a number of different possible locations around the Lane Cove Council area and none of them were satisfactory. Why is it so difficult to find a site? Council advised:
- Reverse Vending Machine Size – the machines are the equivalent of 5 car spaces and another three car spaces are required around the machine for circulation and storage of additional rubbish bins for all the litter that is inevitably left behind.
- Noise – The machine needs to be located more than 20m from residential properties as there is a substantial amount of noise created by the bottles being deposited into and removed from the machine.
- Vehicular access – Access to the machine needs to be very good as they have a constant stream of customers and the garbage trucks emptying them twice daily also need to be able to manoeuvre around it.
Where are the Closest Reverse Vending Machines?
The closest reverse vending machines are located at:
- Chatswood East, next to Bunnings;
- Woolworths Marsfield; or
- Taronga Zoo.
Are There Other Ways to Return and Earn?
Local businesses, such as corner stores and newsagencies, participate in Return and Earn via over the counter. They accept small quantities (usually less than 100) of eligible containers over the counter in return for a cash refund. There are NO stores in Lane Cove. The closest over the counter stores are listed below:
Which Containers Can Be Returned?
Under Return and Earn, most empty 150-millilitre to 3-litre drink containers are eligible for a 10-cent refund when presented to an approved NSW collection point. Container materials that may be eligible for a refund include
- PET;
- HDPE;
- Glass;
- Aluminium;
- Steel; or
- liquid paperboard.
Containers must be empty, uncrushed, unbroken and have the original label attached.
Which Containers Can’t You Return?
Do not return:
- plain milk or milk substitute containers;
- flavoured milk containers of 1 litre or more;
- pure fruit or vegetable juice containers of 1 litre or more;
- glass containers for wine and spirits (oh dear);
- casks (plastic bladders in boxes) for wine and casks for water of 1 litre or more;
- sachets for wine of 250 millilitres or more;
- containers for cordials, or concentrated fruit and vegetable juices; and
- registered health tonics.
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