Return and Earn is a unique fundraising channel that converts your litter reduction and recycling efforts into dollars to support your cause.

Get started

Four quick steps to begin fundraising.

1. Define

Determine exactly what your fundraising goals are.

2. Choose

Pick a method that works best for your group.

3. Inform

Tell your group about the fundraiser and explain how they can help.

4. Collect

Get everyone involved in the collection process.

It’s easy to raise funds through Return and Earn. We’ve created a toolkit full of information and promotional materials to help you build a rewarding fundraising campaign.

Our helpful fundraising toolkit

Download our handy toolkit for a guide to setting up and promoting your fundraising efforts. It includes printable posters, stickers, newsletters and social media info.

How to fundraise with Return and Earn

Return and Earn is set up with two methods to fundraise. You can either partner with the scheme or collect containers and refunds. You can choose either or both methods.

1. Become a Donation Partner

Partner with Return and Earn to receive refunds directly from people recycling their drink containers.

Schools, sports clubs, charities or community groups can be featured on the Return and Earn app or be featured on the screens of your local Return and Earn machine.

Once set up, simply encourage your supporters, your community and everyone else in your network to begin collecting eligible containers and donate some or all of their drink container refunds to support you when they return and earn. It’s that simple.

Appear on the Return and Earn app

Connect with over 170,000 app users and potential donors to receive donations from any recycler using the machines across NSW.

PLUS, track live donations and receive weekly donation reports to your inbox

Appear on a Return and Earn machine

List your organisation on machine screens for up to 6 months to receive donations from any recycler using their local machine.

2. Collect containers to Return and Earn

You can organise collections of eligible containers and then return them for a refund of 10c each.

Set up a single point for collections and let your colleagues and supporters know where that is. It could be a tub, bin, cage or a trailer.

Once you’re ready to return your containers, take them to any return point in NSW. For larger volumes of containers, we recommend you visit an automated depot.

More tips can be found in the fundraising toolkit at the top of the page.

Organise direct collections

Some automated depots can organise to pick up your collection. To find out if your nearest depot offers this service, check out their return point page and give them a call.

Fundraising success stories

Coolamon Lions Club and Junee Correctional Centre join forces to recycle and fund local organisations

Fundraising partnership engages Sydney youths in recycling competition

Buddhist Association recycles to protect marine life

Mick’s-Crates a hit for recyclers on the Northern Beaches