Warrumbungle Shire Council’s container deposit scheme celebrates 10 million containers returned, while NSW celebrates 11 billion in total!

In a significant milestone for environmental sustainability, Warrumbungle Shire’s container deposit scheme has achieved the remarkable feat of collecting and recycling 10 million containers.

Since the establishment of the container deposit stations in Coonabarabran and Dunedoo in 2019, the community has wholeheartedly embraced the initiative, contributing to its resounding success.

Warrumbungle Shire Council mayor, Cr Ambrose Doolan, expressed his delight at the achievement.

“This is a wonderful achievement for not only our Warrumbungle waste team, but the community that is making the most of this great service,” Cr Doolan said.

“The collection of these containers not only helps the community, but also the environment with less waste going into landfill.”

The success of the initiative underscores the community’s commitment to sustainability and responsible waste management practices.

Participation in the ‘Return and Earn’ program is simple and accessible to all members of the community.

Residents are encouraged to collect eligible bottles and cans and take them to the designated return points at the Coonabarabran landfill or Dunedoo transfer station.

Every eligible container returned entitles the depositor to a refund of 10 cents, providing both an incentive for recycling and a tangible benefit to participants.

To ensure efficient processing, it is essential for participants to follow guidelines, including packing glass products separately in designated bags and adhering to maximum quantity limits per bag.

This ensures the smooth operation of the scheme and facilitates effective recycling processes.

“Council is thrilled with community participation in this scheme over the last five years,” Cr Doolan said.

“We appreciate the community’s cooperation when depositing containers at Council sites.”

The milestone is also part of a broader success story for recycling initiatives across NSW.

Return and Earn, the overarching program encompassing the container deposit scheme, recently celebrated a monumental milestone of 11 billion containers returned since its inception in 2017.

Return and Earn has not only had a significant environmental impact, but has also provided substantial economic benefits, including $1.1 billion in container refunds returned to individuals and $54 million raised for charities and community groups.

The scheme has become a vital source of fundraising for organisations such as Little Wings, which supports seriously ill children in regional areas.

With its enduring success, Return and Earn stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and collective action in addressing environmental challenges.

As the scheme continues to grow and evolve, it reinforces the importance of collaborative efforts between government, industry, and communities in creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.