Recycling to fund children’s medical research

More than 200 scientists at the Children’s Medical Research Institute spend each day working to find cures and treatments for serious conditions affecting kids. 

Their important work has been given a helping hand by Bargo recycler Marjo Hallowell, who donates Return and Earn drink container refunds to help fund the institute’s research.  

With support from her grandsons, Marjo has raised almost $12,000 for the not-for-profit charity through Return and Earn since 2024. 

Vital research underway at the Children’s Medical Research Institute includes gene therapy cures for genetic disorders in children, finding better treatments for cancer and developing new epilepsy treatments.  

“When we all get together as a big group it can really lead to life changing results,” said Dr Alexander Sobinoff, a senior researcher from the Children’s Medical Research Institute. 

“We are deeply thankful to Marjo and her grandsons for raising over $10,000 through Return and Earn last year.” 

Marjo said even small donations can make a big difference to charities. 

“There are so many organisations that could benefit from those extra few dollars and every can or bottle counts,”  

“The target this year is 100,000 bottles and we are on track. Since January we have 40,129 cans so that is $4,000.” she said.