Good news for those in our community who have been hoarding eligible drink containers to recoup some money – Wingham now has it’s very own reverse vending machine kiosk.
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The reverse vending machines are situated behind the Wingham Services Club, and came online on Tuesday, March 27.
Wingham Services Club assistant manager, Nicole Mullen put in an expression of interest for the club to become a Return and Earn site near the end of January.
“They were quick. They jumped on it. They came up and had a look at our site,” Nicole said.
After a few hiccups with technical issues, it wasn’t too long before the machines were installed and came on line.
Nicole and Services Club secretary-manager, Barry Murray, say they machines were well used yesterday.
“They were belted, actually!” Barry said, adding that Tomra Cleanaway, the contractors responsible for the scheme, sent an employee up to stay on site all day and instruct people on how to use it.
Although most reverse vending machines are open from 7am to 10pm the Services Club have elected for it to be open from 8am to 8pm, in respect of nearby residents.
The machine has surveillance cameras installed to deter and/or catch vandalism, damage and littering. The Services Club also have their own cameras installed.
Tomra will visit the site at least once daily to empty the kiosk. A contracted cleaner will also visit twice a day initially to clean the machines and surrounds, including managing excess litter.
“We’ll keep an eye on it throughout the day as well. We don’t want to see it untidy, either,” Barry said.
“We just hope it is successful and people use it the way it is supposed to be used, and get the advantage of it.”
When it comes to receiving the refunds, you have three options. You can download the Tomra app and have the money automatically added to your Paypal account, you can receive a voucher to be redeemed at Coles, or you can elect to give your money to charity.
Currently, Tomra chooses between four major charities to give the money to on a 13-week cycle. In the future, one of those slots will become available for a local donation partner. Local charities, schools, community and sporting groups can register their interest to become a donation partner at www.tcnsw.com.au/.
For more information on what you can and can’t deposit into the kiosks, visit returnandearn.org.au.
Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
