100 million drink containers returned

Over 100 million drink containers have been returned for refunds under the NSW Container Deposit Scheme, Return and Earn, since the Scheme started 1 December 2017.

It’s great to see the community really getting behind Return and Earn, with over five million drink containers returned on the weekend alone, Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton said.

The reverse vending machine kiosk in Emerton has had the most returns in NSW, with over two million drink containers deposited since the Scheme started. Queanbeyan, Prospect and Revesby also continue to be popular sites, with over 1.7 million drink containers returned to each location.

High performing reverse vending machines are processing over 45,000 drink containers a day. With over 400 collection points already available, Return and Earn continues to roll out across the State. Reverse vending machines recently installed in Concord, Fairfield, Yamba, Narellan, Kiama and Penrith joined the 446 individual machines across the state.

Over-the-counter sites also continue to get involved, with sites recently opening in Lakemba, Belmore, Wakeley, Winmalee and Dean Park. Automated depots are another popular option for returning large volumes of drink containers, with depots in Blacktown, Eastern Creek, Revesby, Broken Hill, South Nowra, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Narellan and Casino.

Every week the Network Operator, Tomra Cleanaway, are adding more sites so that everyone across NSW can get involved in Return and Earn

Return and Earn is a partnership between the NSW Government, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway. Launched in December 2017 it has become the state’s largest litter initiative.

Find more information about the Return and Earn scheme, eligible containers and how it works.