As NSW celebrates the major new Return and Earn milestone of 11 billion containers recycled, Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area (LGA) locals have millions of reasons to join in the celebrations, having recycled an incredible 141,088,380 bottles, cans and cartons through their local return points.

Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams thanked the incredible support of our local community using the Return and Earn sites. Visiting the local return point has become a way of life, resulting in millions of dollars in container refunds back into people’s pockets.

“Your enthusiastic participation is playing an important role in growing our domestic circular economy and achieving a more sustainable future.

“Recycling your eligible bottles, cartons and cans through Return and Earn is an easy way for all of us to help the environment and support the work of some amazing local charities.”

“The refunds from container recycling are helping families and individuals with cost-of-living pressures and helping support the work of hundreds of charities and community groups that are using the scheme to fundraise,” Mrs Williams said.

“In the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA, the collective recycling efforts are making a difference. The positive impact of recycling containers into new containers rather than using virgin materials is equivalent to:

·        Energy savings equal to the average annual use of 1,472 households

·        CO2 emissions avoided equal to taking 6,286 cars off the road for a year

·        Water savings that could fill 332 Olympic swimming pools

With all plastic and glass drink containers collected through the network recycled in Australia, Return and Earn has become a leading contributor to our growing domestic circular economy.

Charities and local community groups and schools are also benefitting from the scheme, with a massive $54 million raised statewide for charities and community groups via donated refunds and return point hosting fees.

For more information about Return and Earn or to find your nearest return point visit www.returnandearn.org.au.