Visitors to Bondi Beach will be rewarded for recycling this summer, with the chance to win great prizes through the Envirobank machine during school holiday weekends.

For two weeks from 10 January, Waverley Council will have an Envirobank recycling machine at Bondi Beach. This reverse vending machine gives you the chance to win a prize every time you recycle a can or plastic bottle using the machine.

Many of you will be familiar with the free plastic bags and bottles Council has distributed over the past several summers, however this year, Council has over 2000 funky stainless steel water bottles up for grabs through the Envirobank. Recyclers can also win special offers from local retailers, and there will be 10 MP3 players up for grabs.

The Envirobank complements the existing ‘out and about’ recycling bins on the promenade, and our new bottle refilling stations, also on the promenade, make it easier than ever to refill bottles. So reducing, reusing and recycling at Bondi this year is a piece of cake.

Also part of its summer waste education campaign, and in light of the recent visit by the Plastiki ship, Council will be running sculpture workshops, where kids can create sea animals out of plastic bottles and discarded materials. This is designed to raise awareness of the impact of plastic on sea life, and the finished artworks will be displayed in the Pavilion atrium to spread the word to locals and visitors.

These workshops are aimed at 5-13 year olds and will be held at 10.30am on 5, 6 and 7 January at the Bondi Pavilion. Workshops are $5 per child. Tickets are available after 20 December only through MCA ticketing 1300 306 776 www.mca-tix.com.au

Council's eye is again on cigarette butts this summer, and we have targeted tour bus companies asking them to inform their clients that smoking is banned on the sand. Council has also contacted local accommodation providers to display posters on the ban. Council is also installing new, large ashtrays on the promenade and near the tourist coach area on Campbell Parade, with clear signage in 3 languages. The Police have also been assisting Council Rangers in targeting smoking on the beach.

Through education strategies, infrastructure and a rigorous cleaning schedule, Council has reduced the amount of beverage container litter on the beach by nearly 24% since 2007, however there is still work to do, so please always take your rubbish with you and even better use the recycling bins provided. Council wishes to thank all of the beachgoers who do the right thing and help keep Bondi beautiful.

Recycle for rewards at Bondi Beach