Return And Earn Celebrates Seven Years Of Making Recycling Easy

Return and Earn celebrates seven years of success making recycling easy in NSW.

Since its launch in December 2017, the popular drink container recycling scheme has seen over 12.5 billion drink containers returned for recycling through its return point network across the state thanks to the 84 percent of NSW adults who have participated.

Return and Earn is a NSW Government initiative delivered in partnership with scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.

“In addition to the environmental benefits, we have also seen $1.25 billion in container refunds put back in people’s pockets, and over $62 million raised for charities, and community groups through donations and fees from hosting returning points,” Ms Smalley said.

The return point network continues to grow with network operator TOMRA Cleanaway continually reviewing and optimising to ensure NSW residents have easy and convenient access to redeem their bottles, cans and cartons.

CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway James Dorney said they were proud to invest in technological upgrades to make recycling even easier for the community.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve added 103 new return points to the network including new return point formats as well as upgrades to some machines to “takes-all”, Mr Dorney said.

“All with the aim of making it quicker and easier to return your drink containers and pocket the refund.

“Over the upcoming busy summer holidays, we expect more than nine million drink containers will be returned every day by the NSW community.

“It’s a busy time of year so we encourage everyone to check the live status of their nearest return point through the Return and Earn app or website before visiting.

“Return and Earn is the triple-threat of recycling, providing significant social, economic and environmental benefits to the NSW community while contributing to a more sustainable, waste free future.”

Hawkesbury returned a total of 103,180,693 recyclables according to the latest Local Government Volumes Report.

That number included 46,913 273 aluminium and 24,927,259 glass items.

The latest consumer research shows support and trust in Return and Earn is at an all-time high, respectively 93 percent and 78 percent of NSW adults, with three out of five “returning and earning” monthly, or more.

There are over 650 return points across NSW, including Return and Earn machines, automated depots and over-the-counter points, all designed to be as accessible as possible.

• Topics:

• Recycling