NSW recyclers have returned a record 15 billion drink containers through the state’s Return and Earn scheme, delivering an estimated $1.5 billion in refunds to the community since the program began, according to the NSW Government.
The milestone was reached less than six months after the total climbed past 14 billion containers, reflecting continued high participation in the scheme, which accepts bottles, cans and cartons in exchange for a 10-cent refund.
In a news release, the NSW Government said the pace of returns has been particularly strong over summer, with around nine million containers returned each day.
Acting Minister for the Environment Steve Whan said the latest figure highlighted broad community engagement with the program.
“This impressive milestone of 15 billion containers shows just how much the community loves Return and Earn,” he said. “The tally will only continue to grow, especially over summer when around nine million containers are returned each day.”
According to the government, the scheme, which launched in December 2017 as a litter reduction initiative, has since become a central component of the state’s recycling and waste reduction efforts.
The NSW Government estimates that Return and Earn has delivered significant environmental benefits, including energy savings equivalent to powering about 204,750 homes for a year, water savings comparable to more than 35,000 Olympic swimming pools, and carbon dioxide reductions equivalent to taking nearly 1.1 million cars off the road for a year.
According to the government, the program has also doubled the recycling rate for beverage containers in NSW since its introduction.
Whan said this has had a direct impact on waste reduction and household finances. “Return and Earn has doubled the recycling rate for beverage containers since it started, significantly reducing litter in NSW and putting money back into people’s pockets,” he said.
The announcement comes as the Minns Labor Government prepares to expand the scheme from mid-2027 to include wine and spirit bottles and larger drink containers.
The NSW Government estimates the expansion will divert an additional 27,000 tonnes of material from landfill each year and make about 362 million more containers eligible for refunds annually.
Whan said broadening the range of accepted containers would strengthen recycling outcomes. “By accepting more types of containers in the future, including wine and spirit bottles, NSW will boost recycling rates, divert more waste from landfill and deliver a more robust circular economy,” he said.
The NSW Government said materials collected through Return and Earn, including glass and plastic bottles, can be processed and returned to store shelves within weeks.
