Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey MP said the people of Oxley should be commended for their ongoing commitment to reducing litter and contributing locally to the three billion containers.

"The growth of the scheme has been phenomenal and highlights a fundamental change in people's thinking and behaviour around litter," Mrs Pavey said.

"Return and Earn has been very successful in Oxley with more than 38.3 million containers returned helping to contribute to the three billion now collected."

Mrs Pavey said summer is peak season for return and earners cashing in their containers and helping the environment and the recent holiday period was particularly impressive for returned containers.

"Statewide between 21 December 2019 and 13 January 2020, there were 10 days with more than 7 million drink containers returned a day, including four days with over 8 million containers returned." Mrs Pavey said.

"The scheme has highlighted so many positives across communities and every bottle returned is a win for the environment."

Until February 23, recyclers in NSW can donate to Bottles for the Bush, on all reverse vending machines with 10 cents from each container going towards helping farmers and rural families impacted by the drought and the recent bushfire devastation. This option is part of a nationwide appeal that has raised more than $430,000 so far with more than $360,000 coming through NSW's Return and Earn scheme.

Return and Earn includes around 640 return points across NSW including reverse vending machines, staffed automated depots and over the counter sites. For more information about Return and Earn, visit www.returnandearn.org.au

Return and Earn machines are located at Kempsey Golf Club.

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