From the end of August people have had the option to to donate their Return and Earn refund from reverse vending machines to local non-profits groups.

The first four organisations to benefit from the scheme are the disability support service ACES, Port Macquarie Animal Welfare Service, Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise and Lake Cathie-Bonny Hills Lions Club.

Michael Jacobs from the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise said when the club received their first donation of just over $40 it was unexpected.

“To a certain extent I think we were disappointed with the first donation, but for us it was about raising our profile as a club and to promote recycling and reducing pollution,” Mr Jacobs said.

“The scheme I think is well intended and gives people an easy way to donate to a local charity.

“But potentially could be marketed better so people know their options to donate to local causes but anything that promotes recycling is a good thing.”

With new figures showing that at current return rates, donating one container per every ten returned would amass some $26,935 in funds, RVM operator TOMRA is encouraging local Port Macquarie residents to donate one-in-ten of their container returns to groups in need. 

Leonie Heath from the Port Macquarie Animal Welfare Service said hoped the venture would boost the profile of the animal service but their first money installment was less that $40.

“We think it is a wonderful thing to be apart of and if people choose to donate to the Port Macquarie Animal Welfare Service then we are grateful,” Ms Health said.

“It is a good idea for people to be able to donate to local charities and organisations because they are all there to help the community in some way.

“In many cases the money people would be donating is so small that they probably wouldn’t miss it anyway.”

Every year, more than 160 million drink containers end up as litter in NSW, harming our environment and costing our community a lot to clean up.

The Return and Earn scheme is expected to help reduce the amount of litter volume across NSW by 40 percent by 2020.

The current groups will remain on the reverse vending machines in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area until November 25.

Applications have also now closed for charities to apply for charity status in round two of the Return and Earn scheme which begins on November 26.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.