St Marys residents can now enjoy a faster, simpler way to recycle with the launch of a new “takes all” Return and Earn machine, designed to streamline the recycling process.
Located at 89 Dunheved Circuit, the new machine allows users to drop all eligible drink containers—bottles, cans, and cartons—into a single chute, eliminating the need for pre-sorting.
This improvement is set to make it easier for locals to recycle and claim the 10c refund on each eligible container.
The new machine marks the 20th return point in the Penrith City Council area and is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the Return and Earn scheme.
The machine is open daily from 7:00am to 10:00pm, offering a convenient recycling option for the St Marys community.
James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway, the network operator for Return and Earn, emphasised the importance of the new machine in supporting the region’s recycling efforts.
“Penrith City Council residents are already enthusiastic recyclers, having returned over 440 million eligible bottles, cans, and cartons since the program began. These improvements will make it even easier and quicker for people to return their containers and pocket the refund,” Dorney said.
In addition to the simple drop-and-go feature, recyclers have multiple options for redeeming their refunds.
They can print a voucher for cash at Coles, opt for an e-voucher, or have the refund transferred directly to their bank or PayPal account via the Return and Earn app.
Residents also have the option to donate their refund to one of over 300 charities listed on the app, including the current statewide partner, Foodbank NSW & ACT.
The charity provides essential food relief to individuals and families across the region.
Since its launch in 2017, Return and Earn has raised over $62 million for charities and community groups through donations and hosting fees for return points.
More than 12.5 billion drink containers have been returned across the state, with over $1.25 billion in refunds given back to individuals.
With summer marking peak season for the program, up to nine million containers are expected to be returned daily in December and January.
To ensure a smooth experience, locals can check the live status of machines via the Return and Earn website or app, and use the container checker tool to confirm their containers’ eligibility for the 10c refund.
For more information, visit www.returnandearn.org.au.
