Young Hospital Auxiliary has won the Return and Earn Litter Prevention Award - Not For Profit, Category C at the prestigious Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2020 Tidy Towns Awards.
The auxiliary won for its hard work recycling containers to raise funds for much-needed equipment for the Young hospital.
For the past ten years, the auxiliary has raised an average of $30,000 annually for hospital equipment. This year, with COVID-19 restrictions many of the usual fundraising activities, such as stalls, high teas and other community events, were put on hold. The auxiliary recognised that Return and Earn was a way to continue fundraising through this time.
It also meant that a broader section of the local community was able to contribute, as even one bottle would help.
IMAGE: Janice Ward.
The auxiliary is largely made up of older members, with several in their 90s, though this year they were joined by four high school students. They are optimistic that engaging the community through container returns will lead to long-term interest from more younger members.
By utilising Return and Earn, the auxiliary has been able to promote recycling throughout the community, and continue to raise vital funds for hospital equipment. This year funds will go towards the purchase of a Sara Stedy, which helps staff safely move patients who have limited mobility.
The Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2020 Tidy Towns Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the sustainability achievements of rural and regional communities across NSW, and are organised by Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KAB NSW).
The Litter Prevention Award Category is supported by the Return and Earn NSW container deposit scheme.
Through Return and Earn, consumers receive a 10c refund for each eligible drink container returned at any of the 600 return points across NSW. Since launching in December 2017, more than 5 billion drink containers have been returned for recycling via Return and Earn.
Visit www.returnandearn.org.au for more information on Return and Earn or to find your nearest return point.
