THE NSW Government has installed a Return and Earn vending machine in the car park at the Cavanbah Centre at Byron Bay.
The reverse cycle vending machine will pay 10 cents per container and operates from 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.
The Refund will be paid either via a direct payment to a designated bank account, a voucher to be redeemed for cash or in-store credit at a participating retailer or it can be donated to charities or community groups linked the machine.
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Return and Earn is a NSW Government initiative designed to reduce litter by 40% by 2020.
The State Government is installing and managing the roll-out of Return and Earn machines and this collection point at Byron Bay’s Cavanbah Centre is one of more than 400 that are now available across NSW.
In excess of 100 million drink containers have been returned to vending machines in NSW since the scheme began on 1 December 2017.
Only eligible drink containers will be available for a refund and most of these are between 150 ml to 3 litres and include glass, plastic, aluminium, steel and liquid paperboard cartons.
The machine will not accept crushed cans or broken bottles.
The Return and Earn machine is also a way for committed recyclers and schools and community groups to raise money and teach people about the value of recycling and reducing litter.
The installation of the Return and Earn machine does not replace Byron Shire Council’s home recycling service and people who do not wish to use the vending machine should continue to put their bottles and cans into the yellow bins recycling bins which are collected fortnightly.
For more information about the NSW Government’s Return and Earn scheme go to returnandearn.org.au or contact the scheme’s hotline on 1800 290 691.