“We are exploring the possibility of one at Lake Cathie and another at Laurieton,” The Local Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said. 

A reverse vending machine is now up and running in Port Macquarie under the container deposit scheme.

January 22 marked the reverse vending machine’s first day of operation at Settlement City.

Port Macquarie resident Rachel Thorburn and her daughter Laila wasted no time putting the reverse vending machine to the test.

Ms Thorburn said the reverse vending machine was easy enough to use.

Six-year-old Laila has been collecting bottles since December.

The state government’s Return and Earn scheme aims to reduce the volume of drink container litter.

“It is good it’s going to stop people from littering,” Ms Thorburn said about the scheme.

“I do realise we are paying extra for the drinks in the first place.”

The Return and Earn reverse vending machine is located at Settlement City’s western carpark behind Woolworths adjacent to the canal.

Mrs Williams said she was hopeful the reverse vending machine at Settlement City would be one of a number in the electorate.

She said the reverse vending machine was open 24 hours a day with easy parking in the vicinity.

“People will be able to choose to donate their refund directly to charities, receive a docket redeemable for cash or an electronic transfer using PayPal at the machines,” she said.

An ambassador will be on hand to help people at the reverse vending machine on January 27 and 28.

Settlement City centre manager Brett Varcoe said Lendlease was committed to sustainability initiatives that benefited the local community now and in the future.

Settlement City assistant operations manager Terry Henderson said Settlement City was the ideal location for a recycling vending machine given its central location with convenient access to parking and retail redemption partners.

Customers can choose to donate their refund directly to selected charities or receive the refund via electronic payment to their registered account.

Customers can also use a credit voucher issued towards their shopping at Woolworths or redeem for cash in Woolworths supermarkets.

Reverse vending machines accept up to 500 containers per transaction.

The statewide scheme had a rocky start but has been embraced by the community.

Mrs Williams said Return and Earn was the largest litter reduction initiative to be introduced in NSW and there were now more collection points for people to be involved.

The Hope Shop Port Macquarie, Honour Church and Matthews Metal Recycling are also collection points.

NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said there had been widespread community support for Return and Earn with more than 40 million containers returned across the state since December 1.

Most drink containers between 150ml and three litres are eligible for the 10 cent refund.

Containers should be intact and have a readable barcode to be eligible.

Click here for more information about Return and Earn.