It’s hard to knock numbers like this….

Orange residents have returned more than 3.3 million containers to the reverse vending machine at North Orange since the Return and Earn collection point opened six month ago.

In the the first month of operation 235,337 containers were put through the machine, while in June that number had more than doubled to 559,625. On average, locals are returning about 550,000 containers each month.

Users of the collection point receive 10 cents for each eligible containers returned, which is either issued as a voucher redeemable at participating retailers like Woolworths, or paid directly to a PayPal account.

So on average, the North Orange reverse vending machine is returning $55,000 each month.

Charity groups are benefitting from the program with container refunds able to be given directly to statewide and local donation partners.

The Glenroi Community Group along with Wires, Red Cross, and Take 3 For the Sea are the current donation options at the North Orange reverse vending machine.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Return and Earn has been a tremendous success, with the NSW public now returning about 3 million containers each day.

Since 1 December, more than 489 million containers have been returned across NSW.

“The change in people's everyday behaviour in just seven months, to now use Return and Earn as part of their routine, is evidence of that success,” said the spokesperson.

“In Orange more than 3.3 million containers have been returned to the Reverse Vending Machine at North Orange in the first six months of operation, which is a great result and we thank the Orange community for their enthusiasm.”

Do you use the reverse vending machine at North Orange? How do you find the process?

Do we need more machines and where would you put them?

Has the scheme been successful in its goal to reduce litter?

Let us know what you think?