Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has welcomed a partnership between Return and Earn and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) that promises to be a winner for both.
Return and Earn is a container deposit scheme that has been promoted by the NSW Government and sees 10c from drink containers returned to the person who recycles the product.
From now until August 22, 2021, 10c from each container will also be given to the RFDS, a vital service which provides medical assistance to remote parts of Australia.
“This partnership could be a real game-changer when it comes to the level of services offered by the RFDS for regional Australia,” Mr Saunders said.
“I know in the Dubbo electorate alone, almost 93 million containers have been deposited since the scheme commenced, so there is the potential for a substantial amount of money to be raised for a very worthwhile organisation.”
RFDS South East Section chief executive Greg Sam said he is proud to be involved in a partnership that not only benefits his organisation, but also helps the environment.
“People living in the outback just do not have the same opportunities and access to healthcare as those in the city,” he said.
“The Flying Doctor is working to bring much needed quality healthcare services to outback communities and this partnership with Return and Earn will help us raise vital funds which will be used to provide outback emergency retrievals, GP clinics, mental and dental health, breast care, and chronic disease screening to Australians living in the outback of NSW.”