The first vending machine was installed in Victoria Park near the Men’s Shed in December. It was followed by a second machine at the Delroy shopping centre which became operational on January 12.

By Wednesday morning, the total number of containers returned to the Victoria Park machine was 458,304. The NSW Environment Protection Authority said there had also been 136,419 containers returned at Delory in the short time it had been operating.

Residents have been crying out for more reverse vending machines.

When the second reverse vending machine was installed, Dubbo Regional Council, through the Dubbo Sustainable City Facebook page, said: “Council are working with TOMRA Cleanaway on a third location to be installed as soon as possible”.

However, NSW EPA would not confirm the news.

“The CDS network operator, TOMRA Cleanaway, is deploying teams daily across NSW to review potential Return and Earn sites,” the spokesperson said.

There are currently three reverse vending machines in Bathurst while Orange has one. Wellington also has a reverse vending machine installed.

In Peak Hill, Dunedoo and Rylstone there are over-the-counter collection points.

While the reverse vending machines can accept up to 500 containers per transaction, the over-the-counter collection points allow between 50 and 100 containers at one time.

Most drink containers between 150 millilitres and three litres will be eligible for a refund. Eligible drink containers have been selected based on those most commonly found in the NSW litter stream and to align with schemes in SA and the NT.

Dubbo Regional Council is currently holding a competition for users of the machines.

Anyone who records a video using a Reverse Vending Machine and sends it to the Dubbo Sustainable City page can go in the running to win a $50 MyDubbo gift card.