They’re big, popular and temperamental.
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Griffith was one of the last places in the state to get reverse vending machine – installed as part of the NSW Government’s return and earn scheme.
But since their arrival they’ve been in hot demand, with big queues outside the machines located at Foodworks and Woolworths, North Griffith. And plenty of complaints too.
The machines enable customers to get ten cents cash back for each used glass bottle, carton, container and can they deposit. Or they can donate the money to charity.
So far, Griffins have made $46,215 from the Foodworks machine, installed in early January; and $13,042 from the Woolworths machine, installed a couple of weeks later.
In Leeton, where a machine was installed at the start of December, residents have made $79,960.
But in order to cash in, it seems you have to treat your recycling as you would your fine china.
Customers have described the machines as “moody”.
“The machine won’t take crushed cans,” Cindy Brown said, who has had many attempted deposits rejected.
Miwa Kang also observed that even good condition Woolworths bottles were being rejected – bizarrely by the reverse vending machine outside Woolworths.
When contacted about the problem, Woolworths said it was an issue with the machines and advised us to check with the NSW Government scheme managers.
The Area News contacted the NSW Government Environmental Protection Authority, but they were not able to respond by our deadline.
Cindy Brown also said we need more machines in Griffith.
“Sometimes you can’t get in. On Saturday mornings, there’s huge lines”.
While there are more than 200 Return and Earn collection points in Sydney, there are only 3 across the whole MIA.
Another gripe is the fact consumers have had to pay a lot more than they’ve gotten back.
In order to fund the scheme, the NSW Government increased the price of beer and soft drinks.
Consumers are estimated to have paid more than $100 million due to the increased prices, while only receiving $8.3 million in refunds.
Environmentalist Matilda Conlon said the Return and Earn scheme is “fantastic”, but problems need to be ironed out.
“The mechanics of the machine needs improvement – it can only take bottles and cans in good condition and of average size. The practicality of that system is ridiculous,” she said.
For more information on the scheme, visit the EPA website.