The Return and Earn scheme in New South Wales has surpassed 14 billion drink containers recycled since its launch in December 2017.
According to Return and Earn, the recycling of these bottles and cans has saved water equivalent to 32,840 Olympic swimming pools, generated energy savings equivalent to powering 191,100 homes for a year, and reduced carbon emissions comparable to removing 1,017,400 cars from the road annually.
“This impressive milestone means over $1.4 billion in container refunds has gone back into people’s pockets, helping with the cost of living, saving for a special goal or supporting some amazing organisations,” said James Dorney, CEO of network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.
Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, said the program has also delivered significant benefits to local causes.
“Over $82 million has been raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees, supporting their important work from providing food and shelter to environmental conservation,” she said.
Return and Earn reported that two out of every three eligible drink containers supplied into NSW are recycled through the program, which has achieved a 73 per cent reduction in drink container litter since it began.
Recent data from its Local Government Volume Report highlights high levels of community participation, with 83 per cent of adults in NSW having used the scheme, most of them on a monthly basis.
Return and Earn revealed aluminium and PET containers remain the most commonly returned, with glass bottles recycled into new bottles and jars in as little as 30 days.
Plastic soft drink and water bottles re-enter shelves in six to eight weeks, while plastic bottle lids are repurposed into products such as flowerpots and bin lids.
The scheme is operated in partnership between the NSW Government, Exchange for Change, and TOMRA Cleanaway, with more than 660 return points across the state.
Participants can choose to donate refunds to one of over 400 registered partners via the Return and Earn app.
