About us
Whether you're doing your part for the environment, teaching kids about recycling or fundraising for a cause, Return and Earn has become part of life in New South Wales.
About Return and Earn
First launched in December 2017 as the state’s largest litter reduction initiative, the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn, has grown into one of the most successful and trusted recycling programs in the state. Through the scheme, materials are kept in use for as long as possible and help to deliver tangible social, economic and environmental benefits to the community.
Millions of dollars in container refunds are returned to people’s pockets every year, helping with the cost of living, saving for a special goal or supporting important causes.
Participation and redemption rates continue to grow year on year, as the scheme becomes a significant contributor to the circular economy. Every week, over 40 million drink containers are returned through the network to be recycled into new bottles, cans, cartons and other products.
How it works
Return and Earn is an example of extended reducer responsibility and is based on a self-funding model that rewards and encourages all participants. People pay a 10c deposit when purchasing a drink in an eligible bottle, can or carton in NSW. Individuals, families and community groups can then take their eligible drink containers to one of the hundreds of return points across the state and receive a 10c refund for each one. Beverage suppliers fund the scheme, including container refunds and scheme operating costs.
Our impact
2023-24 financial year annual report
Thanks to the enthusiastic participation and support from the NSW community, last financial year was our most successful yet.
Past annual reports
Who we are
Return and Earn is a NSW Government initiative delivered in partnership between the NSW Environment Protection Authority (scheme regulator), Exchange for Change (scheme coordinator), and TOMRA Cleanaway (network operator).
Our mission
To support the NSW circular economy by delivering better environmental, social and economic outcomes through Return and Earn.
Our values
Our values are the principles that guide the behaviour of scheme partners as we work together to increase the success of Return and Earn.
- Collaborative
- Customer-centric
- Committed
- Trustworthy
NSW Environment Protection Authority
Scheme regulator
The NSW Environment Protection Authority is responsible for designing and developing the scheme, managing the registration of all eligible beverage containers supplied in NSW, and managing the obligations and performance of contracts with the scheme coordinator and network operator.
Exchange for Change
Scheme coordinator
Exchange for Change is contracted to provide financial management, scheme auditing, fraud identification and verification, community education and marketing services for Return and Earn. A key part of the scheme coordinator’s role is managing suppliers and ensuring supplier funds are paid into the scheme.
TOMRA Cleanaway
Network operator
TOMRA Cleanaway is contracted to set up and manage the statewide network of return points. It also manages the logistics and sale of commodities to ensure all containers collected through the network are recycled.
Beverage suppliers
The success of Return and Earn is due in no small part to the beverage suppliers that fully fund its operation. Any businesses selling beverages in eligible containers or giving them away as part of a promotion – whether they are manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers or retailers – must enter into a supply agreement with the scheme and register any eligible containers with the NSW EPA.