The roll out of the Return and Earn container deposit scheme has reached the Manning, with a reverse vending machine site to open on Thursday, March 8 on the grounds of the Old Bar Tavern.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Residents will be able to swap their bottles for money between 7am and 10pm daily.
Old Bar Tavern’s Mark O’Neill said the business first applied for the container in October last year before a follow-up application a month later.
On February 20 this year, they were contacted by TOMRA Cleanway and asked if they were still interested in having a container installed at the site.
Mr O’Neill said the business was “very keen” to house the container.
“They (TOMRA Cleanway) said it made an ideal location,” Mr O’Neill said.
He added that in researching the prospect of having a container installed, it was found that many people across the State were using the scheme as an opportunity to dump rubbish.
To help counteract the issue, the container has been decked out with cameras and lights.
Mr O’Neill said the catalyst behind the tavern’s decision to house the container is to help the community and reduce waste in the area.
“I’ve always lived by the philosophy ‘waste not, want not’,” Mr O’Neill said.
“It's a chance for the locals to get their share, stop the waste and have a chance to redeem some money.”
He added that there is plenty of room on the grounds of the tavern for people to drive in and unload their bottles.
Another container is set to be installed at Taree’s Manning Mall in the coming weeks.
