Moama celebrates opening of new Return and Earn Depot

By Lua Ikenasio

Oct 1, 2024

A new Return and Earn Depot officially opened in Moama on Tuesday, October 1.

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NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton attended the opening ceremony alongside TOMRA Cleanaway chief executive James Dorney, members of the Murray River Council and other key people who helped bring the project to life.

A smoking ceremony was held at the opening of the facility. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

The celebration opened with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by Mick Burke and Uncle Des Morgan from the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

Following the Welcome to Country, speeches were given by Ms Dalton and Mr Dorney as well as Exchange for Change chief executive Danielle Smalley and Murray River Council chief executive Terry Dodds.

Murray River Council chief executive Terry Dodds, Exchange for Change chief executive Danielle Smalley, NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton, TOMRA Cleanaway chief executive James Dorney and Circular Systems NSW EPA director Alex Young. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Mr Dorney said local residents had been strong supporters of the return and earn scheme.

“We know that the residents of the Murray River Shire have been very, very active return and earners, returning over 93 million containers since scheme commencement,” he said.

The new depot will give Moama residents a second location to recycle their beverage containers.

Instead of individually placing containers into a machine, recyclers can simply load their recyclables on to the loading platform and leave the rest up to the workers.

One of two sorting machines that will streamline the return-and-earn process. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Ms Dalton praised the work put in to the facility and highlighted the benefits it would have on the community.

“It’s fantastic, you see all the hard work and time that has been put in it,” she said.

“When [people] realise the facility is here, they’ll come in droves in their utes and trailers, cashing in their rubbish and getting money to spend in the community.

“Ninety-two million pieces of rubbish have been recycled already, which equates to $9.2 million available for the community to spend; it’s wonderful.”

Across the state, over 12 billion containers have been recycled since the scheme started in late 2017.

This year alone, around 2.3 billion containers are expected to be returned and recycled.