A new Return and Earn machine has opened at Elara Shopping Village in Marsden Park, providing Blacktown residents with greater access to recycling services and container refunds.
The machine, which is the 28th return point in the Blacktown area, is part of a growing network aimed at encouraging the return of eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund.
Return and Earn, which has been operating in New South Wales since 2017, has seen strong community engagement.
According to Return and Earn’s network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, over 751 million eligible bottles, cans, and cartons have been returned through local return points in the Blacktown City Council area alone.
Statewide, more than 13.8 billion containers have been recycled, resulting in over $1.3 billion in refunds returned to consumers.
James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway, said the new return point offers greater convenience for residents.
“Residents in the Blacktown City Council area are enthusiastic recyclers,” Dorney said. “The new machine will make it even easier for locals to return their containers and claim their refunds.”
Located at the rear of the Elara Shopping Village car park on Elara Boulevard and Northbourne Drive, the machine is available from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sundays.
It includes ‘takes-all’ technology, which allows users to deposit all eligible container types into any chute without sorting.
Users can receive their refunds in several ways, including printed vouchers redeemable at Coles, e-vouchers, or direct bank or PayPal transfers via the Return and Earn app.
The app also provides an option to donate refunds to over 400 charitable partners. Local organisations such as Blacktown Area Community Centres Inc are among those fundraising through the scheme.
Return and Earn has become a significant fundraising tool for community groups and charities across NSW, generating more than $72 million in donations and hosting fees since its inception.
For more information, visit www.returnandearn.org.au.
