4 December 2024

Cootamundra embraces change: Return and Earn trial brings convenience to recycling

| Shri Gayathirie Rajen
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 Return and Earn.

A new upgrade makes it easy to return and earn in Cootamundra. Photo: Return and Earn.

Cootamundra residents can now earn money from recycling items – a 10-cent refund for every container.

Return and Earn has launched an innovative ‘takes all’ trial that is set to transform how Cootamundra residents recycle their eligible bottles, cartons and cans.

There is no more pre-sorting of containers — residents can now drop all their eligible containers through any single chute at Return and Earn’s updated machines at Woolworths Cootamundra, making it faster to return and earn.

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TOMRA Cleanaway (network operator for Return and Earn) CEO James Dorney said Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council residents were already enthusiastic recyclers, having returned more than 23.8 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons through local return points since the scheme began.

“These improvements to local return points will make it even easier and quicker to return your eligible items and pocket the refund.

“I encourage everyone in the region to continue to make Return and Earn a part of your routine.

“Together, we are all contributing to a more sustainable future, where the materials that our bottles, cans and cartons are made of are kept in use and out of landfill.”

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Recyclers can redeem the cash at Woolworths or they can choose to opt for an e-voucher or payment directly into their bank or PayPal account using the Return and Earn app.

Locals can also donate their refund to one of over 300 donation partners listed on the Return and Earn app, or to the current statewide donation partner Foodbank NSW & ACT.

Foodbank is a food relief charity providing much-needed assistance to individuals and families across NSW and the ACT.

Since its launch in 2017, Return and Earn has raised over $62 million in donations and fees from hosting return points. It has become a key fundraising channel for many charities and community groups in NSW.

More than 12.5 billion drink containers have been returned for recycling through the network of over 640 return points across NSW resulting in over $1.2 billion in container refunds back in people’s pockets since Return and Earn began.

The upgrade has been made to the Woolworths Cootamundra Return and Earn machine located in the carpark at 26 Bourke Street, Cootamundra. The machine is open daily from 7 am to 10 pm.

To find out more visit Return and Earn.

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