A LOVE of drink container recycling in Albury has been reflected in a jump in bottles and cans put into the city's Return and Earn machines.
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Of the overall 46.3 million, more than 15 million have been dropped at the East Albury machine near Lauren Jackson Stadium and in excess of 13 million have gone to the unit in the Coles Lavington car park.
Much of the huge throughput in Albury is being fuelled by Victorians crossing the Murray River to offload cans and bottles.
Further north, Wagga saw its deposit tally go from 19 million to 35.9 million.
Wodonga residents piggy-backing on the refunds has been a contentious issue with North Albury recycler Vicki Thomas raising it with The Border Mail at the Coles machine on Thursday.
"Every second person I meet here is bringing their cans from Wodonga," Mrs Thomas said.
"I know because I'm here at least every two weeks and there's always someone from Wodonga.
"It's just wrong."
Reinforcing the point, just after Mrs Thomas finished, Wodonga resident John de Raden arrived with hundreds of stubbies, cans and plastic soft drink bottles.
He says he comes to the machine two to three times a week with enough containers to earn $50 each time.
The former building supervisor only started his runs two months ago.
"I saw all these bottles that were 10 cents each and I thought 'why not pick them up'," Mr de Raden said.
"I'm not proud; I'm only a pensioner and it's easy money."
Mr de Raden could understand NSW residents, who pay a levy on drinks, being frustrated at Victorians getting cash back.
However, he said nobody had ever challenged him while he was dropping-off.
Lavington resident Patrick Boyd, 22, brings his family's drink cans and bottles every two to three weeks.
"I just think it's an efficient way to get rid of your recyclables and you're getting a benefit out of it with cash," Mr Boyd said.
Meanwhile, the Return and Earn machine at Springdale Heights IGA has been shifted to the northern car park of Lavington Square near the corner of Breen and Prune streets.