Fairfield community celebrate success of the new Wetherill Park Return and Earn Depot

The Fairfield community came together yesterday (15 Apr) to celebrate the new Wetherill Park Return and Earn depot and its incredible start since opening its doors in November 2023.

The large stand-alone depot, located at 5 Allen Place, is owned and operated by local business owner Gaurav Gupta and has already processed 19 million bottles, cans, and cartons in just six months.

Guests included State Member for Prospect, Dr Hugh McDermott MP, representatives of local charities fundraising through the depot, and representatives from scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.

Gaurav has been a passionate supporter of Return and Earn since the scheme began in 2017. He has operated numerous over-the-counter return points through existing businesses, growing his container recycling business to the point he needed to expand to new premises.

In launching the depot, he has continued to build on his strong connections with the community, offering Return and Earn collection services for individuals, charities, sporting groups, schools, and local businesses. His support of the Fairfield community is demonstrated by his generous donations to three local charities at the event, totalling $1,500.

Fairfield City residents are already enthusiastic recyclers, having returned over 330 million bottles, cans and cartons for recycling through local return points.

The Wetherill Park Return and Earn depot is one of 19 return points in the City of Fairfield, making it easier than ever for locals to cash in their eligible bottles and cans. The depot accepts any number of containers but is ideal for individuals or businesses returning 500 containers or more at a time.

More than 11.2 billion bottles, cans and cartons have now been returned for recycling through Return and Earn’s network of 620+ return points across NSW since the scheme began in 2017, resulting in over $1 billion in refunds back in people’s pockets.

Wetherill Park Return and Earn Depot is located at 5 Allen Place, Wetherill Park and is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays.

For more information on Return and Earn visit: www.returnandearn.org.au.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DR HUGH MCDERMOTT MP, MEMBER FOR PROSPECT:

“Fairfield LGA has seen more than 330 million bottles, cans and cartons returned for recycling. This is just an amazing effort by our community and it’s thanks to sites like this that make it possible.

“This site alone has seen around 19 million containers returned since November 2023, these are amazing numbers and it’s great to see the community come together with a goal to look after the environment.

“The Wetherill Park Return and Earn is a local success story – adding to the Minns Labor Government’s environmental goals, but also as a local employer in the heart of our community.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO JAMES DORNEY, CEO OF TOMRA CLEANAWAY, NETWORK OPERATOR

“Congratulations to Gaurav Gupta, the Wetherill Park Return and Earn team, and the local community, on the success of this fantastic new local business – 19 million containers returned for recycling in just six months is a great win for our environment and our community!

“It is wonderful to see this local Fairfield business grow, providing local employment opportunities while also contributing to a more sustainable future, where materials are kept in use and out of landfill.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO GAURAV GUPTA, OPERATOR OF WETHERILL PARK RETURN AND EARN DEPOT

“I am incredibly proud to expand to an automated depot in the NSW Return and Earn scheme. My team and I are excited to collaborate with and assist the local community, particularly partnering with charity organisations and schools to raise funds through this initiative.

“I encourage everyone to ‘collect more and earn more’. Join the Green Team and help us protect the environment by reducing landfills. Our depot is designed for fast and hassle-free returns.”