Return and Earn is marking its eighth anniversary, noting the continued growth of the recycling initiative since its launch on 1 December 2017.
The scheme, which offers a 10-cent refund on eligible drink containers, has recorded 14.7 billion returns over the past eight years, according to a news release from Return and Earn.
It noted that the program continues to receive strong public support, with Return and Earn reporting that 93 per cent of NSW adults back the scheme and 83 per cent have participated.
Return and Earn further shared that more than $1.4 billion in refunds has been provided to the community during this period, with the organisation stating that the funds have assisted households with cost-of-living pressures, personal savings and charitable contributions.
Return and Earn has also released its latest Local Government Area Network Volume Report, outlining container redemption volumes across return points since the program began.
James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway, the network operator for Return and Earn, said the scheme’s footprint has expanded significantly.
“NSW recyclers love Return and Earn and the variety of ways to return their containers, including depots for large volumes of containers, hundreds of machines or over-the-counter options,” he said.
Dorney noted that the end-of-year period typically brings high activity for the network. “As we celebrate this birthday, we’re moving into the busiest time of year for Return and Earn, with up to nine million containers expected to be returned daily,” he said.
He added that users can check return point status through the Return and Earn app or website, and recommended depots for those returning large quantities.
Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, said the milestone highlights the broader impact of the initiative.
“Return and Earn’s birthday is a great opportunity to look at the impact the scheme has made over the last eight years,” she said.
Smalley said convenience has played a key role in community participation. “Its convenience means recycling eligible drink containers is now part of everyday routines such as shopping, the school drop-off or driving home from work,” she said, adding that the scheme has also supported charitable causes, with more than $82 million raised for community groups and charities since 2017 through donations and hosting fees.
Return and Earn is delivered through a partnership between the NSW Government, Exchange for Change and TOMRA Cleanaway.
