Moree’s popular Return and Earn Machine is back and ready to receive bottles and cans for recycling in a new location behind Coles.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall made a visit to the new site with Moree Plains Shire Mayor Mark Johnson and Deputy Mayor Susannah Pearse yesterday. Mr Marshall said the container deposit machine had been re-installed in the Moree Council carpark at 28 Auburn Street, behind Coles Supermarket, and was now operational and able to receive bottles and cans.
“After last year’s sudden closure, the community was left disappointed and frustrated, and I commend the Moree Plains Shire Council for stepping forward and agreeing to ‘host’ this popular service,” Mr Marshall said.
“After much discussion between TOMRA Cleanaway, who operate the Return and Earn Machine, and Moree Plains Shire Council, a new location was decided in the Auburn Street carpark which has easy access and plenty of parking.”
“While some electrical issues still need finalising, TOMRA Cleanaway have installed temporary generators to ensure the machine is now ready for its first customers.”
The council and TOMRA Cleanaway anticipate a rush in the initial weeks of operation with residents having stored their containers in anticipation of the refunds. Moree Plains Shire Council has arranged additional collection trucks to cater for the increased demand.
Mr Marshall said the Moree Return and Earn machine had been one of the most used across the region with close to 500,000 cans and bottles recycled through it.
“During the earlier operations the Moree Return and Earn eclipsed all expectations and processed so many containers it equated to roughly $50,000 being claimed by locals through this machine,” Mr Marshall said.
“That’s a fantastic result with money going straight into the pockets of locals and recyclables disposed of correctly.”
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