A NEW, soon-to-open recycling centre in Wagga will allow residents to help keep the environment clean while also providing funds to those experiencing hardships.
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As part of the state government's Return and Earn Scheme, St Vincent de Paul Society will open its first Wagga bulk-container-deposit centre next Monday, making it the fifth across the state for the organisation.
The centre boasts automated sorting and counting at up to 100 containers per minute and it has the capacity to process up to 100,000 containers a day.
It is described as a "fast, drive-through alternative for community members and businesses".
Residents may choose to donate some or all of their refunds to the organisation.
Mike Riley, executive officer of Vinnies Wagga, said the centre has two main goals.
"One is about helping the environment — keeping things out of landfill and recycling," Mr Riley said.
"Second is the money that we generate from this helps the community.
"It goes straight back to the community to prevent things like homelessness, to support people with mental health issues and to help people stay away from substance abuse.
"It will also just help people with daily challenges.
"Things like food, energy and rent, so it's a real win-win for residents and the environment."
In just over a year, NSW Vinnies' deposit scheme has processed more than 21 million containers, helping divert more 80,000 cubic metres of recyclable waste from potential landfill — that is about 876 semi-trailer loads.
With the opening of the Wagga facility, Vinnies now has 20 return points operating across the state to facilitate 10-cent refunds for Return and Earn customers.
The handling fee proceeds received by Wagga Vinnies from scheme operators Tomra Cleanaway will also help support the charity's work within the region.
Peter Quarmby, Vinnies' container deposit scheme project lead, said he was confident the community would embrace the Wagga facility.
"Participation in this new initiative is a natural extension of our core philosophy — diverting waste from landfill and helping those in need at the same time," Mr Quarmby said.
To celebrate the opening, the first 20 customers of the facility to donate $2 or more of their refund to Vinnies will receive a flexi tub to make future storage and transportation of eligible containers easy.
The East Wagga site at 90–92 Hammond Avenue will be opened from 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
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