The students of Cammeray Public School work a special sort of magic – turning bottles, cans and cartons into cash by using Return and Earn.

The magic trick has so far turned 30,000 containers into more than $3,000 towards a brand-new playground.

To capture containers eligible for the 10c refund, Cammeray Public School’s Environment and Sustainability Committee set up collection bins next to the school canteen and outside the school gates.

Recycling competitions have helped the initiative gain traction with the students.

“The P&C had been fundraising to replace the school’s rusty little playground,” said one eco-minded parent.

“Originally, we found it difficult to motivate families to collect drink containers for environmental reasons.

“We realised that if every student in our school collected just three bottles a day, then in one year that would add up to over $70,000 - and that we could use this as an incentive to motivate the whole family.

“The kids do speeches at assembly, we have signs for the bins, we share on social media - anything we can do to get the word out.”

The first stage of the new playground – featuring a slide, sandstone rocks and blocks – was completed in 2025.

The Return and Earn contributions will continue to go towards the second phase of the playground, which will include a new three-cube climbing tower and overhead net tunnel.

To allow Return and Earn donations from family and friends around NSW, the school also filmed a video explaining how to set up the Return and Earn app.

The school’s P&C is hoping the benefits of encouraging recycling go beyond the cash raised.

“By collecting all the bottles and cans, not only are we fundraising but we are also hoping to create awareness and motivate our community to save containers from landfill and from washing into the ocean.”

Cammeray Principal Victor Tan said: “Thank you to the P&C and their environmental sub-committee, we now have the most magical playground.”