Shellharbour City Council has installed new Return and Earn bin baskets at popular beaches, parks and community spaces to help reduce litter and increase recycling across the city.
Caption: Return and Earn Bin Basket at Shellharbour Village. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.
The program is delivered in partnership with the NSW Government and is designed to stop recyclable drink containers from ending up in public landfill bins. The metal baskets are attached to existing public waste bins and provide a simple place for people to leave empty eligible drink containers. Community members can then collect the containers and take them to a Return and Earn point to redeem the 10 cent refund.
Eligible drink containers include most plastic, glass, aluminium and liquid paperboard containers between 150 millilitres and three litres.
The baskets are already in place at several high-traffic sites, including beaches, playgrounds and lakeside locations. These areas were chosen because they generate higher volumes of drink containers and are close to sensitive waterways where litter can easily travel into the environment.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said the program creates environmental and community benefits.
"Installing these bin baskets is a simple and effective way to increase recycling and keep our public places clean. They make it easy for people to do the right thing and they provide practical fundraising opportunities for community groups and individuals," Mayor Homer said.
"When people place their empty drink containers in the baskets, it stops them from going to landfill and helps reduce litter in our parks, beaches and open spaces. It is a small action that adds up to a big difference."
The baskets are designed for use by the community. Council does not empty them or collect refunds. Anyone can place a container in the basket and anyone can collect containers to redeem through Return and Earn.
A total of thirty baskets are being delivered across the city, with the first twenty five installed at confirmed busy locations. The remaining five will be installed based on community feedback.
Council has launched a Let's Chat page where residents can view the installed basket sites on an interactive map and drop a pin to suggest new locations for the final five baskets. Suggested locations must be places where a basket can be attached to an existing public waste bin, in line with program requirements.
Residents who take part in the online engagement will also have the chance to win one of five prize packs. Each prize pack includes a Yeti mug, reusable tote bag, reusable cutlery set, branded stationery and a handball.
Return and Earn locations in Shellharbour include:
- Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club
- Stockland Shellharbour Shopping Centre
- Stockland Retail Park
- BP Albion Park Rail
- Albion Park RSL
- PCYC Lake Illawarra
A full list of bin basket locations is available on Council's Let's Chat page, where residents can also suggest new locations and enter the prize draw.
KEY MESSAGES:
- Shellharbour City Council has installed new Return and Earn bin baskets across busy beaches, parks and public spaces to reduce litter and increase recycling.
- Residents can help choose where the final five baskets go by suggesting locations and entering the prize draw on Council's Let's Chat page.
- The baskets make recycling easier, reduce litter and support people who collect containers for the ten cent refund.
