NSW residents are continuing to reap the benefits of the Return and Earn program. Photo: Return and Earn.
The NSW Return and Earn scheme has celebrated the return of 13 billion bottles, cans and cartons to the network since the scheme began in 2017.
More than $1.3 billion in container refunds have gone back into people’s pockets, with more than $72 million also being raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees.
Following a record-breaking summer, with 23 December 2024 setting a record for the biggest single day ever (10.3 million containers), 2024 ended as the biggest year yet, with 2.125 billion containers returned.
CEO of Return and Earn network operator, TOMRA Cleanaway, James Dorney said this achievement showed just how important drink container recycling was across NSW.
“With over 650 convenient and accessible return points, it has never been easier to recycle in our state,” he said.
“Thanks to the people of NSW, what was once seen as waste is now a valuable resource, delivering significant environmental, social and economic benefits.”
Mr Dorney said the impact of recycling 13 billion containers meant:
- Two out of every three eligible drink containers supplied in NSW were redeemed, increasing recycling rates and reducing the beverage industry’s reliance on virgin PET, glass and aluminium
- Water savings equivalent to 30,524 Olympic swimming pools and energy savings equivalent to powering 136,864 Aussie homes for an entire year
- CO2 emission savings equivalent to taking 582,215 cars off the road annually.
CEO of Exchange for Change Danielle Smalley said that since launching in December 2017, Return and Earn had grown into one of the most successful recycling initiatives in the state, with eight out of 10 NSW adults making Return and Earn part of their regular routine, most visiting monthly or more often.
“Recycling isn’t just about cleaning up the environment – it’s about turning waste into valuable resources to grow our circular economy,” Ms Smalley said.
“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.
“Return and Earn has raised funds for everything from weddings and holidays to free care flights for sick children and meals for people doing it tough. Community members can donate their refund to one of over 300 donation partners listed on the Return and Earn app or to the current statewide donation partner, food relief charity, Foodbank NSW & ACT. ”
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