As NSW celebrates the major new Return and Earn milestone of 11 billion containers recycled, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee locals have millions of reasons to join in the celebrations, having recycled an incredible 96,571,782 bottles, cans and cartons through their local return points.
The collective recycling efforts are making an environmental difference. The positive impact of recycling containers into new containers rather than using virgin materials is equivalent to , Energy savings equal to the average annual use of 1,008 households.
The CO2 emissions avoided equal to taking 4,302 cars off the road for a year and water savings that could fill 227 Olympic swimming pools.
Charities and local community groups and schools are also benefiting from the scheme, with a massive $54 million raised statewide for charities and community groups via donated refunds and return point hosting fees.
In particular local Marjo Hallowell who is fundraising for Children’s Medical Research Institute in finding a cure for childhood cancers.
Marjo and her grandsons have passed the halfway point in her goal of collecting 50,000 bottles.
Marjo Hallowell said “As well as being beneficial for the environment by removing them off the side of the road, it is an excellent way to show the younger generation how they can physically make a difference.
“By taking items that would end up in rubbish, they can help contribute to other causes such as the Great Cycle Challenge which raises funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.”
Marjo said, ” It also highlights to my Grandsons how many other locals get behind their efforts to achieve their goals from within the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Shires. Only 21,615 bottles or cans to go until our goal!”
