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Return and Earn return points across NSW are open and can be accessed for returns in line with the latest Public Health Orders.

We're currently experiencing limited disruptions due to COVID and we encourage you to check the status of your nearest return point before visiting and avoiding peak times where possible. We thank you for your patience.

Anyone visiting a return point must ensure they comply with the latest Public Health Orders, including checking-in via the QR code displayed, wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing of at least 1.5 metres from others, and practicing good hygiene.

During the holiday period, our automated depots and over-the-counter return points have varied opening hours. Contact your local return point or our network operator call centre on 1800 290 691 to check location specific hours before visiting.

Some of our return points are being impacted by the weather. We urge everyone to please take extra care, keep updated on all emergency announcements and consider returning your containers once the weather improves. Please check the status of your nearest return point here or via the Return and Earn app.

Download the Return and Earn app for rewarding recycling at your fingertips.

Available in: العربية| 简体中文| Tiếng Việt | 繁體中文
Available in: العربية| 简体中文| Tiếng Việt | 繁體中文
Returning truckloads of drink containers?
Calculate the positive environmental
impact of your recycling
Calculate now
Download the Return and Earn app
Get your refunds quicker and easier
Download Now
Find your nearest return point
Check the map for directions, opening hours and
live status updates for all return points
View map
Check which containers are good to go
Check the label for 10 cent refund mark to see if it can be returned for a 10 cent refund
Learn more
Returning truckloads of drink containers?
Calculate the positive environmental impact of your recycling
Calculate now
Download the Return and Earn app
Get your refunds quicker and easier
Download Now
Find your nearest return point
Check the map for directions, opening hours and live status updates for all return points
View map
Check which containers are good to go
Check the label for 10 cent refund mark to see if it can be returned for a 10 cent refund
Learn more

Well done NSW!

Billions of containers are returned through Return and Earn in NSW every year. By recycling bottles, cans and cartons, you’re helping our environment and earning along the way, putting money back into the hands of the community.

Return and Earn is the rewarding way to recycle your drink containers. Every container returned makes an impact.

8,823,435,665

drink containers returned so far via return point network

604

return points available

89%

support

79%

participation

82%

satisfaction

2.62 billion

containers returned so far via kerbside collections

791,900

tonnes of materials recycled to date

67%

12-month rolling redemption rate

54%

reduction in drink container litter since pre-scheme levels

$40 million

returned to charities and community groups via donations and fees to date
Return-and-Earn_hp_illustration-12-1.png

8,823,435,665

Drink containers returned so far via return point network
Return-and-Earn_hp_illustration-13.png

604

Return points available
image-04-nsw-adults-support.png

89%

Support
Return-and-Earn_hp_illustration.png

79%

Participation
Return-and-Earn_hp_illustration-14.png

82%

Satisfaction
Return-and-Earn_hp_illustration-19.png

2.62 billion

containers returned so far via kerbside collection
Return-and-Earn_hp_illustration-16.png

791,900

tonnes of materials recycled to date
Return-and-Earn_hp_illustration-15.png

67%

12-month rolling redemption rate
Image_new-tile.png

54% reduction

reduction in drink container litter since pre-scheme levels
image-10-returned-to-charities.png

$40 million

returned to charities and community groups via donations and fees to date
Calculate your recycling impact
Find a return point

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How does Return and Earn work?

Collect eligible containers

Find out which containers can be returned through Return and Earn for 10 cents each.

Check container eligibility
Take containers to a return point

There are different types of return points available. Find the one nearest or most convenient for you.

Find a return point
Get your refund or donate

Every eligible container is worth 10c. You can keep the refund or donate it to a worthy cause.

Find out more
Find out more

Get to know the return points

Compare and choose the right return point for you
View return points near you
More information

Reverse Vending Machines

Self-service, convenient locations and ideal for up to 500 containers

Refund types

Donations

  • Bank Transfer*
  • PayPal*
  • Voucher
  • Yes
*Available via Return and Earn App

Automated Depot

Staffed and offers additional services. Ideal for any no. of containers

Refund types

Donations

  • EFT
  • Cash
  • Enquire

Over the counter

Staffed and good for cash-in-hand refunds. Ideal for < 100 containers

Refund types

Donations

  • Cash
  • Enquire

Reverse Vending Centre

Self service with multiple machines Ideal for any no. of containers

Refund types

Donations

  • Bank Transfer*
  • PayPal*
  • Voucher
  • Yes
*Available via Return and Earn App

Donation Station

Self service and donations only. Ideal for on-the-go returns*

Refund types

Donations

  • N/A
  • Yes
*Donation stations cannot take glass

Get to know the return points

Understand how the different return points work

Reverse Vending Machines

Self-service, convenient locations and ideal for up to 500 containers

Refund types

Donations

  • Bank Transfer*
  • Cash Voucher
  • PayPal*
  • Yes
*Available via the Return and Earn App

Automated Depot

Staffed and offers additional services. Ideal for any no. of containers

Refund types

Donations

  • EFT
  • Cash
  • Enquire

Over the counter

Staffed and good for cash-in-hand refunds. Ideal for < 100 containers

Refund types

Donations

  • Cash
  • Enquire

Donation Station

Self service and donations only. Ideal for on-the-go returns*

Refund types

Donations

  • N/A
  • Yes
*Donation stations cannot take glass

Reverse Vending Centre

Self service with multiple machines Ideal for any no. of containers

Refund types

Donations

  • Bank Transfer*
  • PayPal*
  • Voucher
  • Yes
*Available via Return and Earn App
View return points near you
More information

Stay in the know with Return and Earn

Sign up to our newsletter for all the latest news.

#ReturnandEarn

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1800 290 691

Send us feedback

Exchange for Change. PO Box 3414 Rhodes NSW 2138. ABN 12 620 512 469
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Available in: العربية | 简体中文 | Tiếng Việt | 廣東話
  • Call us
1800 290 691
Send us feedback
Drink containers returned so far

Total number of containers collected through the Return and Earn network of return points since scheme commencement (Dec 2017). This figure is updated hourly via a live feed.

Support for the scheme

This rate represents the percentage of NSW adults who support the Return and Earn scheme. 

Source: Kantar Public consumer research results (June 2022)

Total participation

This rate represents the percentage of NSW adults who have participated in Return and Earn

Source: Kantar Public consumer research results (June 2022)

Satisfaction among scheme participants

This rate represents the percentage of participants that are satisfied with the scheme. 

Source: Kantar Public consumer research results (June 2022)

Containers returned via kerbside collection

Material recovery facility (MRF) operators are able to claim a refund for any eligible containers collected via kerbside recycling provided they have a share agreement in place with their relevant council. MRF operators can only make a claim at the end of each quarter therefore this figure is updated once their claim has been reviewed and processed, up to two months post end of the quarter.

Tonnes of materials recycled

Tonnage is calculated based on state-wide averages of the number of eligible containers in each kilogram of a material type called eligible container factors. The factors are calculated quarterly and published by the NSW EPA. The network operator is contractually obliged to deliver all material for reuse or recycling.

Containers redeemed (network + kerbside)​

The redemption rate is the percentage of eligible containers supplied into NSW which have been redeemed through the scheme, either via a return point or through kerbside collection. This figure is updated quarterly.

Key Littered Items Study (KLIS) - Litter Reduction

Results based on the KLIS. Percentage represents the reduction of eligible CDS beverage container litter (items).

Source: EPA CDS beverage container litter – 2020–21 CDS litter

Returned to charities and community groups since the scheme was introduced in December 2017

Total amount returned to charities and community groups via donations at return points and fees for hosting return points as at December 2022. This figure does not include informal fundraising activities by community groups. 

Source: Network operator, TOMRA Cleanaway

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