Just three months ago, Bathurst one of many towns and cities across NSW still waiting for its first Return And Earn reverse vending machine.

A month earlier the state government had launched the Return And Earn container deposit program with much fanfare, calling it a great initiative for the environment.

Only problem was, the reality fell well short of the hype. And that meant most residents across the state were left paying higher prices for their drink containers for many weeks before they ever got the chance to cash them in.

But constant pressure on the minister from the local media and local member Paul Toole soon changed that in Bathurst.

The city’s first reverse vending machine was installed at the Metro service station at South Bathurst in early December but it was soon clear that the location was all wrong.

Nobody had predicted the incredible noise that would be associated with emptying reverse vending machines that had been installed in residential areas so that site was never going to work in the long term.

More pressure on the minister from this newspaper [and Mr Toole] followed and in January three new Return And Earn sites were added to the list.

Those three sites made Bathurst one of the best-served communities in the state for these machines, but still more was to come.

On Monday, the city welcomed an automated sorting machine for recyclables.

Mr Toole was on hand to see the machine go through its paces at Upfold Street and this next generation of Return And Earn should significantly cut waiting times for the people wanting to get involved.

None of this would have happened, though, without the persistent agitation of local communities and the local MP.

With a state election about 12 months away, all electorates will be asking just what the local member has been able to achieve for them.

Government MPs like Mr Toole have had to wear the justifiable flak associated with policy backflips such as council amalgamations and greyhound racing ban so each of them will be desperately seeking a few local wins as well.

Today it is Return And Earn for the people of Bathurst. We look forward to seeing what the next 12 months might bring.