Collecting bottles, cans and plastics seems simple enough but when you set a goal of collecting one million things can get complicated.
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Back in July the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West launched their One Million for $100,000, and on December 19 reached their first milestone, having now collected 100,000 cans, bottles and plastic items.
Rick Eller community service director of the club said the project started after the introduction of the 10 cent Return and Earn scheme which began on July 1, 2018.
“At the beginning of the financial year we were looking to sink our teeth into another project and when we heard about return and earn scheme officially beginning we came up with the idea of collecting bottles and cans,” Mr Eller said.
“It is certainly not a get rich quick scheme but more of a slow burn and over the last six months we can now say we have collected 100,000 cans and bottles and raised $10,000 for local charities.
“Our goal is $25,000 by the end of June, 2019 and hopefully, if we keep plugging away, we will reach our goal.”
Mr Eller said their project works in a collaboration effort with The Hope Shop in Port Macquarie and local business Port City Bowling Club, Panthers Port Macquarie, The Westport Club, Club North Haven, Bellevue Gardens, Beachside and Beaches Apartments, Settlers Inn, The Abundance Café, Sailability, Ruins Cafe and Cassegrains
“When the Return and Earn scheme started it was impossible for us to use the vending machines to feed each item individually through so we partnered with The Hope Shop and so we get some money and so do they,” he said.
“We have been really lucky to have them on board.
“We are also fortunate to have partnered with a number of businesses which allow us to come and collect their bottles and cans each week for our project. Without them we would not be able to collect as many as we have.”
Julie Constable, president of the club said it has been a lot of hard work and dedicated for members but the club is proud to be able to give back to the community.
“I am so proud of all the work our members have done for us to be able to get to this point,” Ms Constable said.
“We have a roster of people who take time each week to go and collect the cans and bottles from our partners around the Hastings.”
Thanks to a collaboration with the organisers of the Junior State Cup Touch Football, held earlier this month, a combined effort by the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West and the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise collected a mammoth 16,000 cans in one weekend.
Ms Constable said the money raised from the collection of bottles and cans would go towards two local charities.
“Over the weekend we had more than 25 members from our club pair with another local Rotary Club to collect an enormous amount of cans and bottles,” she said.
“Our club are proud supporters of Sailability and the Endeavour Clubhouse and we will be delighted when we hand over money collected through this project to them soon.
“These organisations and volunteers contribute significantly to our community in many ways, so it is great that we can do our bit to ensure they continue their great work in our region.”
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