Rodney Stevens

Recycling through the Maclean Lions Club Return and Earn facility at Townsend continues to increase in volume and last month 6 dedicated volunteer ‘Supercyclers’ had a massive day, counting more than 30,000 containers.

Club Treasurer Tracy Smith said since they established at their present site in Jubilee Street, Townsend, in August 2022, the volume of containers they are processing has gone from an initial target of 500,000 in 6 months to their annual throughput of more than 2.4 million, a number that continues to increase.

She said the team of 6 volunteers had a huge day recently, setting a new benchmark for the club.

“On Wednesday November 27, our team of 6 volunteers counted over 30,000 containers,” she said.

“We last did this at the beginning of January 2024, when we opened up after the Christmas period and then we had 16 volunteers counting.

“Our Wednesday team, who are now known as the ‘A’ team consisted of George Priddle, Chris Robertson, Sue Maxwell, John Mackay, Bob Wallace and Dianne Everett.”

For each container the Maclean Lions Return and Earn processes, 10 cents goes back to the local community, with the club currently giving back more than $240,000 annually in cash to people recycling their containers.

“We are currently sending back a crammed 40ft container of items to be recycled to Sydney every week,” Mrs Smith said.

The money the club generates out of the venture has been put back into the local community through a variety of donations.

The Maclean Lions Club Return and Earn project has financially helped local dance students compete internationally, purchased a defibrillator for the gym, contributed to Maclean High School’s champion Cattle Show team, and gone to local groups including the Maclean Pipe Band, Team Aiden, Lions Club of Clarence, and Maclean Hospital Auxiliary.

Take all of your Christmas container recycling to the Return and Earn facility to get cash back for your rubbish, while helping the club contribute to the local community.