The NSW Return and Earn scheme is set to reach the milestone of 10 billion recycled cans and bottles at return points.
Users have earned $1 billion in container refunds since the scheme began in 2017 and have raised $47 million for charities and local community groups.
More than 923,000 tonnes of materials have been recycled through the scheme. Reusing these materials instead of new products, says the NSW government, has saved enough energy to power 110,000 homes for a year and enough water to fill 23,000 Olympic swimming pools.
According to the government, two out of every three eligible drink containers supplied in NSW are now redeemed, increasing recycling rates and reducing the beverage industry’s reliance on virgin plastic, glass and aluminium.
“10 billion items returned in NSW is a significant milestone that demonstrates Return and Earn is a circular economy success story,” says NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe.
“We’re already thinking to the next billion and want to encourage every household to get on the Return and Earn bandwagon.
“Drink container litter in NSW has more than halved.
“We need to continue reducing waste and emissions, and increase recycling, and programs like Return and Earn make it possible.”
The Return and Earn network continues to grow, with more than 620 return points now operational across NSW. It’s delivered in partnership between the NSW government, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, and is funded by the beverage industry.