BATHURST will have its own Return and Earn reverse vending machine as early as Saturday following a string of complaints.
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The NSW Government initiative rolled out on December 1 with the aim of reducing the state’s litter volume, and it offers people a 10 cent refund on each acceptable bottle or can returned.
However, the project has been plagued by problems with with just 230 of the proposed 500 sites across NSW ready by the roll-out date.
Just two days before the launch, Bathurst was yet to have a collection point until MP Paul Toole stepped in to help secure the city an over-the-counter collection point at Metro Petroleum in South Bathurst.
But, this has also been plagued by problems, with the site’s container now full and the store’s owner left out-of-pocket after providing refunds.
Now, Mr Toole has again stepped in and spoken minister for the environment and local government Gabrielle Upton.
“We have been assured by the minister that a reverse vending machine will be installed at Metro Petroleum and they’ve hoping to have it operational by Saturday,” he said.
However, he said one machine was simply not enough for a city the size of Bathurst.
“At a minimum we should have at least two reverse vending machines for a city of this size,” Mr Toole said.
Meanwhile, the Western Advocate has been advised that some people were told by Metro Petroleum that any refund must be spent in store and could not be given in cash.
Also, that people were told they must buy something in the store before being allowed to obtain a refund for their bottles.
At a minimum we should have at least two reverse vending machines for a city of this size.
- Bathurst MP Paul Toole
Metro Petroleum owner Raja Kallem has denied these allegations and said cash refunds are given for a maximum of 100 items a day.
Mr Toole said he was concerned by these allegations.
“It’s concerning to me with some of the allegations being made that people say they have to buy something in the store before they can deposit their bottles,” he said.
“This was not the spirit of the scheme when it was rolled out.
“I have also made the minister aware of these complaints.”
Mr Toole said the community was frustrated and that he shared their frustration in the Return and Earn scheme.
He said discussions were already taking place for the location of a second reverse vending machine in Bathurst which will possibly be located in the west on the city.