Reverse vending machine operator TOMRA blames social distancing for full bins
Ever wondered why the glass recycling machines always seem to be full? Here’s why.
Central Coast
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The operator of the state’s Return and Earn reverse vending machine network, TOMRA, has blamed social distancing as the reason why the glass bins always seem full.
It has also would not deny reports that shifts had been cut by 50 per cent but confirmed there had been some “adjustments made to collection services”.
Reverse vending machine sites typically have two glass and two plastic/can recycling chutes but TOMRA Cleanaway has closed the inner glass chute to comply with social distancing measures.
Some frustrated recyclers have taken to leaving their glass bottles for the next person after finding machines routinely full.
NewsLocal was told by people waiting for a machine to be emptied at the Bateau Bay Square site, that one of the collection bin staff told them shifts had been slashed by 50 per cent resulting in a backlog of collections.
In a statement TOMRA said there had been no reduction in vehicles servicing Return and Earn sites but there had been some “adjustments made to collection services in the region”.
It failed to disclose what those adjustments were.
While the glass bins remain full, the machines are cleaner than ever with TOMRA saying sites were now being cleaned twice a day.
“Return and Earn has been a hugely popular initiative in the Central Coast area with the 32 return points, returning more than 176 million containers since the scheme commenced,” TOMRA said in the statement.
“Network Operator, TOMRA Cleanaway has implemented a number of site based changes at Reverse Vending Machines (RVM’s) in response to the current NSW Public Health Order.
“These changes are aimed at encouraging social distancing at return points and will remain as long as required.
“These measures include the introduction of government standard social distancing signage, dedicated lane markings encouraging only three users at site, and limiting the concurrent use of RVMs to three per site by closing the inner glass chute. Normally there are four chutes in use, with two glass chutes.”
“In addition to this, the frequency of cleaning at all NSW Reverse Vending Machines has been increased to at least twice per day.
“There have been no adjustments made to the number of vehicles servicing Return and Earn in the Central Coast area. Operational changes to RVM’s through closure of one of the glass chutes has resulted in adjustments made to collection services in the region.”
TOMRA encouraged residents to download the MyTOMRA app or visit the website ReturnandEarn.org.au to check real time availability of their preferred return point.
It said people could also take advantage of ‘touch free recycling’ and only need to touch the containers they were recycling to gain their refund.
The backlog is not being helped with a sudden increase in alcohol sales since self-isolation measure were brought in at the end of March.
A poll by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) last month found 70 per cent of Australians were drinking more than usual since the COVID-19 outbreak.
About a third, or 32 per cent, were concerned about the amount of alcohol they or a loved one was consuming and 28 were drinking more than they planned.