There will soon be 51 new opportunities for people to cash in on the Return and Earn container scheme in the Byron Shire.
Bin baskets are being attached to public bins in key spots across the shire and cans and bottles can be put into the baskets rather than recycling bins.
This means enthusiastic recyclers or community groups can easily collect the containers from the baskets and cash them in.
"Anyone out and about in our parks and public spaces can now leave their empty can or bottle in one of the bin baskets for someone else to collect," Anika Brown, Litter Prevention Officer, said.
"This gives someone, like a child collecting for pocket money or a local group as part of their fundraising, a chance to collect the refund, generating cash and keeping our environment clean," Ms Brown said.
The bin baskets are provided by Exchange for Change which manages the NSW Return and Earn scheme.
Since Return and Earn came to the Byron Shire in 2017 people have returned more than 51.8 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons, many of which would have ended up in landfill.
That equates to $5.18 million back into people's pockets.
Across NSW more than 15 billion drink containers have been returned to recycling through the Return and Earn program.
In the Byron Shire people can recycle their containers at:
- Mullumbimby Ex-Services Bowling Club
- Cavanbah Centre.
