NSW Container Deposit Scheme Information for residents
Return and Earn is a NSW Government initiative delivered in partnership between the NSW Environment Protection Authority (scheme regulator), Exchange for Change (scheme coordinator), and TOMRA Cleanaway (network operator).
What is Return and Earn?
From 1 December 2017 anyone who returns an eligible drink container to an approved NSW Collection Point will receive a 10 cent refund.
Every week, over 40 million drink containers are returned through the network to be recycled into new bottles, cans, cartons and other products.
How do I participate?
Take your eligible empty container to a Collection Point for a 10-cent refund. Collection Points will include Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) and over-the-counter manual sites. Alternatively, you can donate your containers to a charity which can redeem the refund to raise money.
How will it work?
The Scheme Coordinator, Exchange for Change, will oversee the Return and Earn scheme as the financial and reporting manager. The Network Operator, TOMRA-Cleanaway, will be responsible for establishing and managing collection points and collection infrastructure across NSW.
Can I still use my yellow bin?
Yes. Kerbside recycling remains important to our community, and Return and Earn will complement it. Kerbside recycling is particularly suitable for containers that are typically consumed at home; some of which aren’t eligible for a refund via Return and Earn. Refunds from eligible containers collected via kerbside recycling may result in downward pressure on waste charges or improved waste services in your area.
What you can return
Most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible for a 10c refund.
- Plastic bottles ie. water, soft drink, flavoured milk under 1L, juice and sports drinks
- Glass bottles ie. water, beer, soft drink, pre-mixed spirits, juice and kombucha
- Cans ie. soft drink, water, energy drinks, beer and pre-mixed spirits
- Poppers and cartons ie. juice and flavoured milk under 1L
Most drink containers between 150 millilitres and three litres that are purchased in NSW will be eligible, with some exceptions. A NSW refund mark will be introduced but until then any container of 150mls or more that includes a South Australian or Northern Territory refund mark is eligible.
Eligible containers include those most commonly consumed out of the home and found in the NSW litter stream.
What you can’t return
Some drink containers commonly consumed inside the home are not currently eligible for a refund and should be recycled in your household bin.
- Containers under 150mL
- Containers over 3L
- Wine bottles
- Spirit bottles
- Plain milk bottles and cartons (including alternative milk)
- Cordial bottles
- Health tonics
- Pure juice bottles over 1L (comprised of 90% pure juice)
- Water and wine casks or sachets
What condition do your drink containers need to be in?
For our return points to accept your containers they must be:
– Uncrushed
– Not broken
– Empty
– Visible barcode
– Lids on (where possible)
Where is my nearest Collection Point?
There are over 650 return points in NSW. TOMRA Cleanaway has secured Woolworths as its first retail partner to roll-out Reverse Vending Machines at or near Woolworths stores. To help people find their closest site, a collection point map is available online.
Woolworths Cootamundra | Return and Earn – Bottle, Can & Container Recycling – Official Site
Where can I find more information?
Information and updates are available at: www.epa.nsw.gov.au and www.returnandearn.org.au