MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the region would benefit from a re-elected NSW Government’s container deposit scheme, to help keep local towns clean and increase recycling rates.
NSW Premier Mike Baird announced over the weekend that a re-elected NSW Government would introduce reverse vending machines across the state as part of a cost-effective container deposit scheme for the recycling of drink containers.
Mr Marshall said was excited about the region taking advantage of the benefits the scheme would bring.
“Country communities, and those across the Northern Tablelands, pride themselves on their clean streets and tidy towns and we want to ensure they have access to innovative ways to reduce waste,” Mr Marshall said.
“The NSW Government will invest in a cost-effective container deposit scheme to help country towns cut down on their waste and recycle more.
“Reverse vending machines would reward consumers, or a charity of their choice, with a small financial incentive after depositing their drink containers.
“Drink containers make up one in every three pieces of litter and often find their way into our parks and waterways, including dams and rivers, while also polluting our local roads and highways.
“We expect at least 800 reverse vending machines to be installed at parks and public spaces across NSW.
“Rural and regional areas will receive the benefits of this exciting initiative and will be well serviced by reverse vending machines.”
Mr Marshall said community consultation would be the next step.
“Over the next year we will invite communities to participate in the design of the scheme, so we can take into account the needs of local environments and provide the right incentive,” he said.
Consultation with the community and industry will focus on:
- the location of reverse vending machines;
- the incentive for community participation;
- the scope of containers to be redeemable under the scheme; and
- the involvement of local government and the recycling industry in the scheme.
The preferred scheme would be implemented by the NSWGovernment by 1 July 2017, with the final design to be announced in 2016.