Warrumbungle Shire Council’s Container Deposit Scheme recorded its five millionth recycled container on Wednesday, 28 October, with the local initiative now ranking second across the state for the number of returned containers.

“Residents in the Warrumbungle Shire Council area and surrounding areas utilise the Coonabarabran and Dunedoo Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) depots to deposit containers for the 10-cent refund,” Warrumbungle Shire Council mayor, councillor Ambrose Doolan said.

“It is great to see everyone in the Shire and surrounding areas take full advantage of this scheme.

“The number of people using the CDS depots continues to increase, with 136,603 containers taken in July 2020 and 241,842 in September 2020.”

Cr Doolan said Council was committed to reducing, reusing and recycling waste to minimise the amount that ends up in landfill.

“The CDS collection points in Dunedoo and Coonabarabran allow community members to separate their recycling and make a conscious effort to recycle,” Cr Doolan said.

“To improve the way Council runs the CDS receival area in Coonabarabran, a new all-weather facility has been erected allowing staff and members of the public to redeem their bottles and cans in all weather conditions.”

To get involved in the Return and Earn program all you need to do is:

• Collect eligible bottles and cans. Please note that not all bottles, cans and cartons are included in Return and Earn. To find out what is eligible visit Council or check out the Return and Earn website at https:// returnandearn.org.au/how- it-works/

• Take your containers to a return point.

• Earn a refund. Every eligible bottle, can or carton you return is worth 10 cents.

• All glass products must now be packed in their own bags and must not be mixed in with cans or plastic containers.

“Council is thrilled with community participation in this scheme and we appreciate your cooperation when depositing containers at Council sites,” Cr Doolan said.