A Maitland MP is fuming that there is no collection point in the electorate for the NSW Government's Return and Earn scheme.
The Hotel Tudor in Woodberry has now stopped operating as an over-the-counter collection point, it comes after the Tenambit Takeaway also stopped operating leaving no collection points at all in the Maitland area.
Jenny Aitchison said both businesses have pulled out of the scheme because of the lack of support they've received from the state government and the botched scheme.
"They've got a scheme which delivers a very small return tot he operators so a huge in cost on their core and primary businesses, it's not viable and in this case, they're just not even providing them with the appropriate support that they need," she said.
Jenny Aitchison is calling on the Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton to immediately intervene and ensure that a reverse vending machine is installed in Maitland.
"Because the process is so flawed the way the government has botched this implementation of the container deposit scheme is just appalling and we're just left wondering here in Maitland, when is the government going to get its act together."
"The return to the operators is fairly small so they obviously want to get a lot of containers but then even getting those containers taken away, I know that was a factor in at least one, or probably that's been a factor in both of these," said Jenny Aitchison.
However, a NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesperson has told 2NURFM News a reverse vending machine will, in fact, be installed in Maitland in February.
The spokesperson also said every effort is made to ensure the containers are taken away.
Statement:
"The network operator, TOMRA Cleanway, is deploying teams daily across NSW to review potential Return and Earn sites, including the Hunter region.
· TOMRA Cleanaway is also ensuring bins are provided at each reverse vending machine and TOMRA staff will be attending and cleaning sites every day.
· There has been widespread community support for Return and Earn, with around 50 million containers redeemed since its commencement. RVMs in Cessnock and Medowie have also proved popular."
