However, Superintendent Paul Smith said he could not say 'don't go to the machines' given their operator has seen "fit to leave their facilities open".

"I would recommend people do not look at doing that, it's something that's not essential and they're potentially putting themselves and others at risk," he said.

"My advice is ask yourself 'is it essential, is it something you've got to do?'."

IN OTHER NEWS:

The grey area posed by the Return and Earn machines being essential is reflected in some users relying on money from cans and bottles to meet living costs.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment which oversees the machines told The Border Mail "people continuing to use the Return and Earn scheme need to ensure they comply with the latest public health orders".

In reality that means it is at the discretion of police as to how machine users will be treated.

"Anyone visiting a Return and Earn return point should maintain social distancing of at least 1.5 metres from others and practice good hygiene including using hand sanitiser or wet wipes to clean hands before and after returning and to stay home if they feel unwell," a department spokesman said.

Signage advising recyclers to keep apart was placed at machines at East Albury and Lavington this week.

The myTomra app has been updated to allow depositors to undertake on their phones the same functions they would do on the touchscreens near bottle and can slots.

When The Border Mail visited the machine near Lauren Jackson stadium in East Albury on Thursday, recycler Gen Quinn was using the app and said it made her feel more comfortable in dropping off her cans and bottles.

Others wore gloves to protect themselves.

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