EPA accuses Clarence Valley Metal Recyclers of Exchange for Change rort

A recycling company is accused of rorting a government recycling scheme, double-dipping at locations in the state’s north. See what happened when the ‘novel’ case came to court.

In what the court heard was a first of a kind, a Clarence Valley recycling company is being prosecuted for allegedly rorting a government recycling scheme.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has accused Clarence Valley Metal Recyclers of claiming refunds for containers that had already been processed.

The South Grafton company claimed the refund at the Coffs Harbour automated depot on the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour (between Bunnings and the hospital) when it allegedly knew, or ought to have known, that the containers had previously been processed at a facility in Glen Innes, according to documents tendered to court.

The Coffs Harbour automated recycling depot at 313-317 Pacific Highway, between the hospital and Bunnings.

The offence was alleged to have occurred between July 24, 2020 and June 2, 2021.

The claims were made as part of the Exchange for Change scheme, the documents claimed.

When the matter came before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday, October 19, magistrate Julia Virgo heard it was a “novel” kind of case and one that had not been prosecuted before.

The Exchange for Change website says the scheme works on a partnership model - which manages the financial operations, marketing and community education for both the NSW Government’s Return and Earn container deposit scheme and the ACT’s Container Deposit Scheme.

“Our network operators manage all return points and ensure returned containers are recycled. The NSW and ACT governments govern and regulate the schemes to ensure they are operating efficiently,” the website states.

Clarence Valley Metal Recyclers is yet to enter a plea and the matter has been adjourned to November 8.