Return and Earn Comes To Tumut

Published on 30 November 2017

Site supervisor  Rick and recycling worker Geoff in front fo the new Tumut site access hours sign.jpg

From 2 December Snowy Valleys residents will be able to get a 10 cent refund for eligible drink containers at the Tumut Waste and Recycling Centre.

As part of the NSW Government’s container deposit scheme Return and Earn, a collection point has been established in the Re-Use shop at the Tumut Waste and Recycling Centre Gilmore.

Council’s Waste Management Strategy Officer Mr Ken Fletcher said Snowy Valleys Council in conjunction with Valmar Support Services will be operating the manual collection system.

“Return and Earn containers returned through the Tumut Waste and Recycling facility will not only provide residents with cash for their recycling it also helps to reduce the cost of Council’s waste management and keep local Valmar staff employed doing this important environmental work,” said Mr Fletcher.

Residents can take their eligible drink containers for a 10 cent refund to the Re-Use shop in Gilmore from Saturday 2 December.

To accommodate the new Return and Earn scheme, Council has increased opening hours at the Tumut Waste and Recycling Centre.

From Saturday 2 December the Gilmore facility will be open:

  • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 12 noon to 5.00pm
  • Saturday 9.00am to 3.00pm
  • Sunday  12noon to 3.00pm

Mr Fletcher said the increased opening hours will mean more access for residents and groups to take advantage of the Return and Earn opportunity.

“All the usual recycling and rubbish services will also be available during the extended hours”, Mr Fletcher said

The NSW Return and Earn scheme will help to reduce the 160 million drink containers littered in our environment each year.  Drink containers make up almost half of the volume of litter in NSW.

Eligible drink containers include most between 150mls and three litres, uncrushed, unbroken and with the original label attached.

“There are exceptions to the containers eligible under the scheme and we encourage residents to seek out more information on the NSW Government’s Return and Earn website, www.returnandearn.org.au”, Mr Fletcher said

The NSW Government’s service contractors are still in negotiations regarding a collection centre in the Tumbarumba area.

“Council is extremely concerned and disappointed that the Return and Earn service for the residents of Tumbarumba and surrounds will not be in place by the commencement date as set by the State Government. Council is working closely with the service provider and is hopeful a solution will be implemented very soon,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Tumbarumba residents can store their containers until the implementation of the service or continue to use their kerbside recycling bins for all containers,” Mr Fletcher said.

For more information about Return and Earn visit www.returnandearn.org.au