Paying it forward to divert landfill

TWEED Shire Council is trialling a new container deposit and collection scheme to divert waste from landfill and enable residents to ‘pay it forward’ so that others can also reap the recycling benefits.

Deposit and collection points have been installed next to 24 public bins in Jack Evans Boat Harbour at Tweed Heads, Rowan Robinson Park at Kingscliff and Knox Park in Murwillumbah.

Council’s Director of Sustainable Communities and Environment Naomi Searle said the scheme had many benefits.

“These container collection points are designed to boost the diversion of recyclable materials from landfill,” Searle said.

“In local parks where recycling bins are available, contamination from incorrect recycling often results in these materials ending up in landfill and we know that waste that goes to landfill remains in the environment forever.

“The other advantage of these collection points is that members of the public can collect containers for their own benefit.”

“Trials at other Australian councils have seen an increased rate of container recycling, diversion of waste from landfill, reduced bin contamination and community benefits through the Return and Earn program, and we anticipate similar outcomes here,” she said.

More than 14.5 million containers were returned via the Return and Earn program in the first half of 2024, which represented more than 871 tonnes saved from landfill, 85 million litres of water, 1,751 tonnes of CO2, and financial benefits returned to community members.

Community members can deposit a container at one of the purpose-built bottle return points. Any community member, group or charity can collect eligible items if they wish to take them to a Return and Earn location for a 10-cent refund.

The council will monitor the effectiveness of the trial and its impact over the next three months.