Communities across New South Wales have made recycling a regular part of their routine, with more than 4.5 billion bottles and cans returned for recycling through the NSW Government’s Return and Earn Scheme.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said it was particularly exciting to reach this massive milestone during National Recycling Week.
“In the first six months of this year, three out of every four eligible bottles and cans supplied in the State were returned through the scheme for recycling,” Mr Kean said.
“These drink containers are now destined for use as a sustainable alternative, instead of littering our streets and contributing to landfill.”
Return and Earn has contributed to an average 40 per cent annual reduction in drink container litter in New South Wales, with more than 420,000 tonnes of materials recycled since it launched in December 2017.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment James Griffin said National Recycling Week is the prime time to celebrate the State’s suite of recycling initiatives.
“Waste Less Recycle More is Australia’s largest waste and recycling initiative, with more than 3.6 million tonnes of waste diverted from landfill in NSW since it was introduced in 2012,” Mr Griffin said.
“To date, we have invested more than $800 million in grants for councils, community groups, industry and charities to roll-out more than 2,685 programs and projects that support businesses and communities to improve recycling across the State.
“These results really demonstrate the role each and every one of us can play in protecting our environment and practicing recycling.”
For more information visit www.returnandearn.org.au
