Port Stephens Council has installed 50 'Return and Earn' bin baskets across the region to reduce litter and keep recyclable containers out of landfill.
The new baskets are located on existing public bins in high-traffic areas, including town centres, playgrounds, picnic spots, skate parks, and beaches. Council selected these locations after a March audit found that 72% of public waste bins contained significant amounts of recyclable drink containers destined for landfill.
The pilot program aims to stop these resources from going to waste. By providing a dedicated space for 10-cent containers, the initiative allows community groups or individuals to safely collect refunds without searching through general waste. This keeps valuable materials out of landfill and ensures money that was being thrown away can now support local people.
The program also addresses the recurring cost of bin damage. Council has seen frequent damage to public bin surrounds caused by people attempting to retrieve containers from inside the bins.
Council is now monitoring the baskets to assess their effectiveness. A future post-installation audit will measure the reduction in recycling "leakage" into landfill bins. These results will help determine if the program should expand permanently across the LGA.
The program is delivered at no cost to local ratepayers. Following a successful funding application, all 50 baskets and signage were provided free of charge by Exchange for Change, the Return and Earn scheme coordinator.
This initiative aligns with Council's commitment to sustainable waste management and its ongoing partnership with the NSW Return and Earn scheme, which aims to divert valuable materials from the waste stream.
