Maitland residents will be lining their pockets with recyclables with the installation of their very first Return and Earn machine today.
The reverse vending machine comes four weeks after the Environment Protection Authority promised the deposit location after ongoing community concern over the lack of collection points in the Maitland area.
Those who wish to return their glass, plastic, aluminium, steel or liquid paperboard containers will be provided with the option of either receiving vouchers, payments or donations to charities for every piece they return.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, said the machine will be well worth the wait.
"It's great to be underway, the first one in Thornton was put on site there today, it'll be connected up very shortly and New South Wales and the EPA will be announcing its commencement very shortly," he said.
Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison, however, still has grave concerns believing the initiative won't be as effective as promised.
"My big concern is that it is half the size of the one at Medowie and Cessnock. I'm concerned it was built too quickly, we have had our community for three months waiting for this machine to arrive and it's a shame there's not enough of it."
Mr MacDonald thanked the people of Maitland for their patience noting his excitement despite Labor concerns.
"I'm disappointed the Labor party is still talking down Return and Earn, but I think the community can see through that, they're on board and it'll be used," he said.
Ms Aitchison responded with disappointment at the liberal government's politicising of a local need.
"I've got people who can't afford subscriptions, people that can't afford to eat, and this little bit of extra cash would help and the government wants to make it some political point scoring exercise. It's really disappointing."
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| Source: www.westernadvocate.com.au |
