Return and Earn in Scone

THE return and earn automatic recycling vending machine in Scone began operating today.

People who deposit recycling can opt to be paid with a voucher for Woolworths, a payment into their PayPal account using the myTOMRA app or donate the money to charity.

Local charities can apply to Tomra to be a listed charity on the machine.

The machines operate from 7am until 10pm and only accept certain containers: List of Recyclable Containers.

Cr Sue Abbott said she was excited Scone was selected as one of the first sites for the program, but there are a few teething problems.

“It’s a first for us here and it is exciting,” said Cr Abbott.

“We’ve also applied for manual machines to be rolled out at our tips across the Shire,” she said.

“But we are disappointed it isn’t accessible to everybody,” she said.

“Disabled people are not going to be able to access it, or some children.

“It was a legal requirement that they are designed for everybody to access.

“So they’re rolling it out, it’s a great concept, but already there are major hick-ups,” she said.

“It is great that Scone and Singleton have the return vending machines, but it is a shame they have jumped Muswellbrook, it is a big gap for people,” Cr Sue Abbott said.

The return vending machine is located in Woolworth’s car park, Scone.