The Ballina community has a new reason to celebrate, with the official opening of the Ballina Return and Earn depot; a purpose-built facility designed to make recycling easier, faster and more rewarding for locals.
As the first depot in the Ballina Shire Council area and the third return point in the region, the new site represents a major step forward in supporting the community’s already strong recycling efforts.
A Recycling Hub Built for the Community
Conveniently located on De Havilland Crescent, the new depot has been designed to handle large volumes of containers with ease; making it ideal for households, charities, sporting clubs and local businesses.
With the capacity to process up to 100 containers per minute and options like “tag and drop” and “tip and go”, the depot provides flexibility for everyone, from busy individuals to organisations returning bulk loads.
The depot also offers multiple refund options, giving customers the choice to receive cash, vouchers, digital payments, or donate directly to a charity via the Return and Earn app.
Supporting Local Causes and Fundraising
A key highlight of the new facility is its ability to strengthen fundraising for local causes.
Community organisations such as Lennox Head Public School and Ronald McDonald House are already benefiting from container donations, while broader initiatives like The Smith Family continue to provide opportunities for residents to give back.
Return and Earn has become an important fundraising channel across NSW, with millions raised for charities and community groups since the program began.
A Community Celebration
The opening event brought together representatives from across government, industry and the local community to mark the occasion.
The event was emceed by David Hanrahan, CEO Pacific, TOMRA Collection Australia, and featured remarks from several key speakers, including:
- Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, Ballina Shire Council
- Danielle Smalley, CEO, Exchange for Change
- Sophie Smith, Ronald McDonald House
The celebration also welcomed a wide range of attendees, reflecting the strong community connection to the scheme, including representatives from:
- Ballina Shire Council
- Byron Shire Council
- Lennox Head Public School, represented by P&C President Edwina Flower and students
- Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond, including Club Service Director Jodie Shelley
- Lennox Head Lions Club
- View Club of Ballina
- Local charities and community organisations
Representatives from TOMRA Cleanaway and its partners were also in attendance, including:
- Amanda Speer, Communications and Engagement Manager NSW, TOMRA Cleanaway
- Chris Comyn, NSW General Manager, TOMRA Collection Australia
- Brent Murray, Commercial Manager NSW, TOMRA Collection Australia
- Craig Miller, NSW Operations Manager, TOMRA Collection Australia
Driving Environmental and Social Impact
Ballina residents have already demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, returning tens of millions of containers through the Return and Earn network since the scheme began.
This new depot builds on that momentum by making recycling even more accessible; particularly for those with large quantities of containers, such as hospitality venues and community groups.
Beyond environmental benefits, Return and Earn continues to deliver real social impact. From putting money back into people’s pockets to raising vital funds for local organisations, the scheme is helping communities thrive.
Visit the Ballina Depot
The Ballina Return and Earn depot is now open daily, offering a convenient, flexible way to recycle and give back. The Ballina Return and Earn Depot is located at 20-22 De Havilland Crescent, Ballina. The depot is open daily between 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Whether you’re cleaning up at home, fundraising for a cause, or simply looking to make a positive environmental impact, the Ballina depot is ready to support you.
