Donations can now be made to two local charities via reverse vending machines located in Griffith.
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The machines were installed as part of the NSW Government’s return and earn scheme, which provides cash back for the recycling of bottles, cans and containers.
The machines enable customers to get ten cents back for each used glass bottle, carton, container and can they deposit, or they can donate the money to charity.
Up until recently, only statewide charities were listed as options for donations.
But from this week, customers have the option of donating to Griffith Community Centre (GCC) at the machine located at Foodworks; and Griffith Meals on Wheels via the second machine located outside Woolworths North Griffith.
“We encourage people to donate using machine, as we want to raise money to support our centre,” GCC coordinator Barbara Penninga said.
Ms Penninga said the money while go towards a range of projects that support vulnerable people in the community. Griffith Carevan, a mobile van providing hot meals and other services to homeless people, is one of the projects funded under the GCC umbrella.
GCC had previously asked people to bring their recycling to their office, but now request you go directly to the Foodworks machine, where you can selected the option of GCC on the screen. Donations are tax deductible.
Ms Penninga said so far the Centre had made $162 through the machines.
Foodworks manager said the inclusion of GCC is “bloody marvellous,” and is pushing for more local charities to be added as options.
Up until mid-March, 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 the machines have also come in for criticism.
Griffith resident Cindy Brown also said we need more machines in the region.
“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.
For more information on the scheme, visit the EPA website.