The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW-operated Maitland Return and Earn Depot has achieved a major recycling milestone, processing 20 million containers and delivering $2 million in refunds to the local community since opening last year.

The Maitland Return and Earn Depot has contributed to recycling rates in the region and in reducing waste from landfill while helping fund the Society NSW’s programs and services.

Executive Director of Commercial Enterprise, Retail and Fundraising at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Phil Coyte said reaching 20 million containers recycled at the Maitland depot is an achievement for the local community.

“Every bottle or can returned here keeps waste out of landfill and strengthens our ability to support people doing it tough across Maitland and the surrounding regions,” Phil said.

“Recycling 20 million containers has significant environmental impact, the equivalent of saving enough energy to power 273 households for a year, enough water to fill 47 Olympic swimming pools, and avoiding carbon emissions equivalent to taking 1,453 cars off the road for an entire year.”

As a return point operator, the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW receives a handling fee for every container processed, generating income that is reinvested into the Society NSW’s programs, including food assistance, financial aid, and homelessness support.

In the last financial year, the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has assisted 2,800 people in the Lower Hunter region, distributing over $270,000 in financial and material assistance to residents in need. 

Of those seeking help, 89 per cent requested food assistance and nearly three in four were experiencing housing stress, a reflection of the growing pressures people are facing in NSW.

CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway and Network Operator for Return and Earn, James Dorney said the milestone is a reflection of the commitment made by the local community.

“This milestone reflects a strong community commitment to recycling and directly powers the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. We are incredibly proud of this partnership and the significant difference it makes in the Lower Hunter region,” James said.

Maitland’s achievement is part of a network of 10 St Vincent de Paul Society NSW-operated Return and Earn depots, collectively keeping tens of millions of bottles and cans out of landfill and helping drive positive environmental progress across the state.

IMAGE | Maitland Return and Earn depot records 20 million container milestone.