Maitland MP slamming Return and Earn Scheme for Failing Small Business

BY JESSICA ROUSE

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."

Return and Earn Proving Popular in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Mount Hutton Return and Earn Collection Point in the Hunter is proving to be among one of the most popular in the state.

The State Government has revealed their Container Deposit Scheme has so far seen 18 million containers collected across the state - 27, 813 of those from Mount Hutton alone.

It's a pleasing result for the government after the scheme copped it's fair share of criticism across the region for a lack of machines across the region.

Collection points in the Hunter to get 10 cents for your eligible container include the Woolworths at Singleton, Cessnock, Medowie, Salamander Bay, Mayfield, Mount Hutton and Jesmond. There are also over-the-counter collection points at McDougalls Hill, North Rothbury, Tenambit, Woodberry and Red Head.

Image 2GB Sydney.

EARLIER:

Hunter MP's want Return and Earn fast-tracked.

Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine first in the Hunter

 

Hunter MP's want Return and Earn fast-tracked.

BY JARROD MELMETH

The lack of Return and Earn collection points in the Hunter has prompted calls from the State Opposition for the government to fast-track the rollout of the scheme.

Three weeks after the launch of the scheme, the Hunter region has 11 of the 300 statewide collection points, which residents say has resulted in long queues and machines being out of service because they are too full.

State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said piles of rubbish has been accumulating around the machines as they become out of order or too full.

"We certainly do need to, when we roll out these machines, be mindful of the fact that people will be waiting to utilise them, that they are accessible for people with disabilities and, that people do not leave rubbish behind. There needs be bins and other things provided with extra collections being made for the removal of the rubbish as well.

"Unfortunately, while it is a wonderful scheme some of the minor issues have not been thought out yet. They need to to make it comfortable and convenient for the community," Ms Hornery said.

Ms Hornery said she had also written to the Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton asking for machines to be installed at Stockland Wallsend and Stockland Glendale.

It was announced earlier today that the NSW Government has partnered with Coles which Ms Upton said will "mean more locations for people to return their empty containers and receive their refund.”

Photo: 2GB Sydney.

Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine first in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Hunter is now home to the first Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machine in the state in a bid to reduce waste.

The machine is located at the Woolworths in Medowie and it's as easy as putting in a container, and getting 10 cents back to give to a charity, or use at the local Woolies.

The state government will be rolling out more of the machines across the Hunter which will be in use from December 1. The NSW government is aiming to reduce waste by 40 per cent by 2020.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says it's really quite a simple way to reduce the amount of litter on the streets in the Hunter.

"You put your container in, you get your payment or your voucher or your contribution to your charity and at the back of the vending machine there's a 20 foot container and all the material then goes into the back obviously to be collected by the waste industry," said Scot MacDonald.

The government says the machines present a massive logistical exercise which is why it's taking a little bit of time to get them all installed and up and running.

Scot MacDonald said they've been rolled out in South Australia already and so far, so good.

"It does make a material difference to the rubbish on the road that you see in the streets in your neighbourhood. So look it has got the runs on the board, we were talking to the installers there who've come over from Europe and they're saying it has a good track record in some of the European countries."

The containers eligible for the 10 cent refund include most containers between 150ml and three litres. Containers shouldn't be crushed or broken and have the original label attached to be eligible for the refund.