A very clever boy from Moree has used the new return and earn recycling scheme to reach a goal- one which required more than just a few spare dollars.
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Young Charlie Crouch told his parents he wanted a golf cart and in return was informed that if he wanted one, he would have to buy it himself so that’s exactly what he did.
The nine-year-old used his imagination to think outside of the box for pocket money and managed to collect almost 5,000 containers for the return and earn machine in just three weeks.
The huge feat has now earned him a new title as New South Wales biggest recycler and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall travelled to Moree to shake his hand.
“There is not a single person in the state that has recycled more cans, cartons and bottles than Charlie.
“I rang around everywhere and even spoke with the company who run return and earn and they didn’t know of a single person who even comes close,” Mr Marshall said.
Charlie said he had collected a few containers from friends and family, however would not disclose a few of his secret tricks and locations in Moree where he goes to collect items.
His mother Kathy said Charlie was very determined, even in the 40 degree heat.
“We’ll be driving and Charlie will see a bottle on the side of the road and yell ‘10 cents!’.
The golf cart was purchased from a friend of a friend who had one in his backyard and although it was not running, Charlie’s father, a Harley mechanic, helped change that.
“When we opened it up we saw there was a Harley motor in it. So we told him ‘Charlie, you’ve already bought your first Harley’,” Kathy laughed.
Mr Marshall was blown away by Charlie’s effort, as well as the Moree communities willingness to embrace the scheme.
“As of today, there has been 368,000 containers deposited at this machine. That puts Moree in the top 10 recycling locations in the state,” Mr Marshall said in Moree on Wednesday.
Moree’s machine was one of the first installed in the Northern Tablelands region in the first week of December 2017.
Across the whole electorate there has been over one million containers deposited at reverse vending machines, representing three per cent of the total amount recycled in the state.
“We only have about one per cent of the state’s population in our electorate so we are punching well above our weight and I want to commend the Northern Tablelands community for their effort,” he said.
Mr Marshall said Charlie was a perfect example of why the scheme was adopted in the first place and to have a nine-year-old embrace it was simply outstanding.
“He had a goal which has now been reach so who knows what he’ll save up for next. Charlie’s efforts are tremendous and he is setting a great example for others.”
Charlie knows exactly what he’ll put the money towards next.
“Fuel for my golf cart and I’ll buy my family some things,” he said.
Kathy added Charlie had already given her $10 for fuel money after driving him around to collect containers!