Healesville Sanctuary’s reverse vending machine is quickly collecting more drink containers as it raises money for conservation efforts.
In November, Zoos Victoria teamed up with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) for its Don’t Kiss This Frog initiative, aimed at protecting threatened frog species in the Yarra Ranges.
Healesville Sanctuary operations general manager Russell Gibb said by partnering with Vic Return, the scheme coordinator for CDS Vic, the funds raised would go back into conservation efforts.
“It’s terrific to be able to be involved in a scheme like Vic Return, which actually puts money back into important conservation work,” Mr Russell said.
The reverse vending machine fields three 240 litre bins per week of recyclables which is expected to double during the summer.
Species such as the baw baw frog will benefit from the funds raised by the scheme as it will enable specialist keepers to breed insurance populations.
Meanwhile spotted tree frogs will be released back into the wild with the help of field biologists.
Healesville Sanctuary also partnered with a company called EnviroBank which approaches local businesses to collect recyclables.
The benefits of the reverse vending machine were twofold for the Healesville Sanctuary, as it would contribute to the sanctuary while also being the only one installed in the area.
“That was just a nice community thing to do because in Healesville, or at least in that area, there’s no other reverse vending machines in the locality.”
With nearly three billion drink containers consumed each year, too many end up polluting the very ecosystems frogs rely on.
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, and carton drink containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible (look for the 10c mark on the label).
Just don’t crush your cans, so they can be scanned.
The Yarra Ranges is home to a diverse range of wildlife in need of protection and is also home to the only place in Victoria where both of its faunal emblems reside.
In Yellingbo, the helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s possum can be found in the area’s riparian swamplands.
Mr Russell reminded the community to keep the recycling effort up by visiting Healesville Sanctuary’s reverse vending machine.
“It’s just important we’re engaging the public to do the right thing with their containers,” Mr Russell said.
