On Wednesday resident Scott Warner posted an image of the waste being dumped at the site to his Instagram account, calling for users to clean up their rubbish. 

“It’s an utter disgrace that people that use the return and earn cannot clean up after themselves. 

“These offenders need to be caught and prosecuted accordingly. 

“The streets are cleaner when it comes to cans and bottles, due to the return and earn scheme, but it makes one wonder if it is all worth it when Dubbo’s showpiece park is left looking like this,” Mr Warner said when contacted by the Daily Liberal. 

“Not only is it an eyesore, but it is also dangerous for users of one of our local men’s sheds, and the families that use the all abilities playground in close vicinity to the deposit centre

“The sooner a dedicated processing plant is constructed the better for all."

Contractors TOMRA/Cleanaway, who are responsible for maintaining the site, were contacted by Dubbo Regional Council on Tuesday. 

A Dubbo Regional Council spokesperson said council were disappointed with the rubbish left around the Return and Earn at Victoria Park

“Council appreciates there are many users doing the right thing and taking their packaging away with them to appropriately dispose of rubbish and general recycling,” the spokesperson said.

“However, there is ample evidence of people treating the area as a dumping ground for rubbish and other material that should not be left at the site.”

The spokesperson said leaving behind rubbish affected legitimate return and earn users.

“This affects legitimate users of the machine as well as other users of Council facilities including the oval, skate-park, children’s playground and the Men’s Shed which are all close by,” they said.

“Council notified the contractors TOMRA Cleanaway on Tuesday and requested an urgent clean-up.

“It is a responsibility of the contract company to maintain the machine including ensuring the machine is emptied daily and that the area is clean around the facility.”

A spokesperson for TOMRA Cleanaway said people were encouraged to use the scheme responsibility and it “was disappointing to see waste like this being left at the site.” 

“Cardboard should always be recycled appropriately and household waste should be disposed of at home using household services.” 

TOMRA Cleanway said they had a cleaning schedule in place at all Reverse Vending Machine locations and were working with the NSW EPA to curb waste left at locations.