Reverse vending machines opened on June 3 at the Growers Market complex and Lake Innes Village.

That is on top of a reverse vending machine in operation since January 22 at Settlement City.

Port Macquarie’s Lynne Popplewell is pleased with the new reverse vending machines.

She wrote to the state government to say well done on the container deposit scheme but more reverse vending machines were needed in Port Macquarie.

Mrs Popplewell said the Settlement City reverse vending machine attracted crowds of people.

“I was doing a hallelujah chorus when I read about this one [at Growers Market] because this is wonderful,” she said.

Mrs Popplewell praised the Return and Earn scheme which she said was making a difference to the appearance of our streets.

Her Return and Earn refund helps the youth ministry, Coastside ID Ministry.

More Return and Earn reverse vending machines are planned.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said they were working to get more machines installed with Lake Cathie to get the next machine.

“I think more and more people use them,” she said.

“We have to make sure it’s convenient.”

Mrs Williams said she acknowledged there were some issues when there was only one reverse vending machine in Port Macquarie and now that load could be spread across three machines.

Most drink containers between 150ml and three litres are eligible with some exceptions such as wine, cordial, spirits and plain milk containers. 

Containers don’t need to be pristine but they should be empty, not crushed, unbroken and have the original label attached.

There are over the counter collection points at The Hope Shop Port Macquarie, Honour Church and Wauchope’s Caltex 24hr Hastings Co-op.