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How to Return

A family using a reverse vending machine to return containers

How to return

It’s easier than you think to Return and Earn. Take your eligible bottles, cans or cartons to one of the hundreds of return points across NSW and earn 10c for each drink container you return.

Return your containers in three easy steps

An illustration of some bottles

Collect

Collect your 10c bottles, cans and cartons.

An illustration of a man and child holding some containers

Return

Take your drink containers to your nearest return point.

An illustration of some coins

Earn

Get 10c for every eligible drink container you return, and save for yourself or donate.

Collect

Look for the 10c label on your bottles, cans and cartons to see if they can be returned.

Not every drink container is eligible, so find out what you can and can’t return.

An illustration of some bottles

Return

Choose a return point that suits the number of drink containers you’ll be returning and is on your way to your regular activities.

A reverse vending machine in a car park for people to recycle their containers

Machine

Ideal for

Up to 500 drink containers

Service type

Self-serve

Refund options

Cash refund voucher
Direct bank transfer
PayPal
Donate

Easiest to visit when you’re

Doing your weekly shopping.

A cashier accepting a bottle for recycling

Over-the-counter

Ideal for

Up to 100 drink containers

Service type

Staffed

Refund options

Cash

Easiest to visit when you’re

At the shops.

A women returning her eligible containers at a Return and Earn centre

Centre

Ideal for

500+ drink containers

Service type

Self-serve

Refund options

Cash refund voucher
Direct bank transfer
PayPal
Donate options

Easiest to visit when you’re

On your way to or from school, work or weekend fun.

A Return and Earn depot employee tipping a bag of eligible containers into a singulator to be counted.

Depot

Ideal for

Any amount of drink containers

Service type

Staffed

Refund options

Cash or electronic funds transfer
Direct bank transfer*
PayPal*
Donate Options*

Easiest to visit when you’re

On your way to or from school or work, or weekend fun.

*Available when using the tag and drop bag drop service

A return depot
A family at a return point
A family at a depot
A mum and daughter visiting a Return and Earn Centre to return drink containers before school.
A return depot
A family at a return point
A family at a depot
A mum and daughter visiting a Return and Earn Centre to return drink containers before school.
600+ return points

Find a return point near you

Earn

You’ll get 10c back for every eligible drink container you return. Save the money or donate your refund to either our major fundraising appeal or one of over 300 donation partners listed on the Return and Earn app.

Two young girls are smiling and standing in front of a "Return and Earn" recycling depot sign. The girl on the left, wearing a light grey hoodie, is holding coins in her cupped hands. The girl on the right, dressed in a pink hoodie, is proudly holding up several Australian banknotes, including $5, $10, $20, and $50 notes. The background includes green and blue signage promoting container recycling in the Hawkesbury region.

Frequently asked questions