The NSW Return and Earn scheme has reached a major milestone, surpassing 13 billion drink containers returned through its network since the program’s inception.
This achievement has resulted in over $1.3 billion in refunds for participants, offering financial relief, supporting personal savings goals, and benefiting community causes, as revealed in a media release.
Additionally, more than $72 million has been raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees.
The scheme saw its biggest year to date in 2024, with 2.125 billion containers returned.
Reportedly, a particularly remarkable moment occurred on 23 December 2024, when a single-day record was set, with 10.3 million containers returned.
James Dorney, CEO of network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, emphasised the importance of drink container recycling in NSW.
“This achievement shows just how important drink container recycling is across NSW. With over 650 convenient and accessible return points, it has never been easier to recycle in our state,” Dorney said.
He also highlighted the broader impact of the scheme, noting that what was once considered waste has become a valuable resource, generating environmental, social, and economic benefits.
The recycling of 13 billion containers has led to significant reductions in the use of virgin materials, saving water equivalent to 30,524 Olympic swimming pools, and energy equivalent to powering 136,864 homes for an entire year.
CO2 emission savings are equivalent to removing 582,215 cars from the road annually.
Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, reflected on the program’s growth since its launch in December 2017.
“Since launching in December 2017, Return and Earn has grown into one of the most successful recycling initiatives in the state, with 8 out of 10 NSW adults making Return and Earn part of their regular routine, most visiting monthly or more often,” Smalley said.
She emphasised the scheme’s contribution to the circular economy. “Recycling isn’t just about cleaning up the environment – it’s about turning waste into valuable resources to grow our circular economy.”
“Together, we are contributing to a more sustainable future, where the materials that our bottles, cans and cartons are made of are kept in use and out of landfill,” Smalley added.
Participants in the scheme can donate their refunds to one of over 300 donation partners, with the current statewide partner being Foodbank NSW & ACT, a food relief charity.
Return and Earn has supported numerous causes, from weddings and holidays to providing free care flights for sick children and meals for those in need.
The program operates in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Exchange for Change, and TOMRA Cleanaway. For more information about the scheme, visit www.returnandearn.org.au.
The scheme has also contributed to a significant reduction in drink container litter, with a 73 per cent decrease since the program’s launch.
The most commonly recycled drink containers include aluminium (5.6 billion), PET (3.6 billion), and glass (3.2 billion).
Independent consumer research shows that 82 per cent of NSW adults have participated in the scheme, with higher participation rates in regional areas compared to metropolitan areas.
