BULAHDELAH Bowling Club could become the first local redemption point for the NSW Government’s new Container Deposit Scheme.

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Club Secretary Al Freihaut said all communities should have access to the scheme regardless of their location or population.

“People have been paying increased prices for canned and bottled drinks since the beginning of November, yet there is nowhere to redeem the containers locally,” he said.

Currently, the closest collection centre is Resource Recovery Australia at Tuncurry and the nearest reverse vending machine is located at Woolworths Medowie.

Mr Freihaut said the Club is currently working through the process to register for the scheme.

When approved, residents will be able to drop off their bottles and cans at the club and receive a 10 cent refund for each eligible container redeemed.

The Club would then be reimbursed when the bins are full and collected.

Mr Freihaut said they are happy to provide the local service for the community.

“It will be convenient for residents with the added advantage of the club being open seven days a week,” he said.

The scheme kicked off in NSW last Friday, with cash refunds offered at collection centres around the state.

Consumers redeeming containers at vending machines have the choice of electronic transfer using PayPal via a phone app, in-store credit at Woolworths or donating the refund to charity.

Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead said he is pushing to have eight deposit stations in the electorate.

But with no details of their intended location as yet, it is unlikely that the stations will be operational anytime soon.

Speaking with News Of The Area, Mr Bromhead said the initiative will be rolled-out gradually with the aim of reducing the number of drink containers that end up as litter.

“It is a new scheme so there is going to be hiccups and angst about it, but we are doing everything we can to make sure that it works,” he said.

Mr Freihaut is expecting that the local collection point at the Club will be operational early in the new year.

By John SAHYOUN