“City of Parramatta Council residents are enthusiastic recyclers, having returned nearly 159 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons through local return points since the scheme began,”
“Statewide, more than 15.4 billion drink containers have been returned for recycling through the network of over 660 return points, resulting in over $1.5 billion in container refunds back in people’s pockets.”
James Dorney, CEO of network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.
Recycling just became even more convenient for Parramatta residents, with the opening of a brand‑new Return and Earn machine at Northmead, and the local community turned out in force to celebrate.
The new machine, located at 128 Briens Road, Northmead, is the 16th Return and Earn return point in the City of Parramatta Council area, further expanding access to container recycling and helping locals collect their 10c refunds with ease.
Strong community support at launch
The launch event on Monday, 30 March highlighted the strong support for Return and Earn from across the community and industry. Attendees included:
- Orlando Rodriguez, Managing Director – Australia at Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP)
- More than 50 team members from the Northmead CCEP manufacturing facility
- Representatives from Ronald McDonald House – Greater Western Sydney
- The Jeans for Genes/Children’s Medical Research Institute team, the current statewide donation partner
- Scheme partners Exchange for Change and NSW EPA
- Network partners TOMRA and Cleanaway
The turnout reflected the high level of local engagement in recycling and the shared commitment to making Return and Earn more accessible for residents and workers in the area.
Making recycling easier than ever in Parramatta
The Northmead Return and Earn machine features our latest ‘takes‑all’ technology, designed for maximum convenience. All eligible bottles, cans and cartons; plastic, glass or aluminium, can be returned through any of the machine’s four chutes, eliminating the need to pre‑sort containers.
The machine is open daily from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, with clear signage directing visitors to the Return and Earn entry within the Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners Bottling Plant site.
Recyclers have several options for receiving their refunds:
- Print a voucher redeemable for a discount off your shop or cash at Woolworths
- Receive payment directly into a bank or PayPal account using the Return and Earn app
- Donate their refund to one of more than 500 registered donation partners
Supporting charities close to home
Locals using the Northmead machine can choose to donate their container refunds to Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney, which provides a home‑away‑from‑home for around 60 families each night, supporting children receiving treatment at nearby Westmead hospitals.
Recyclers can also support the current statewide donation partner, Jeans for Genes, helping fund research into treatments and cures for children living with genetic conditions.
These donation options ensure that every container returned can make a positive impact, whether that’s for the environment, local families, or vital medical research.
Industry collaboration driving convenience
Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, highlighted the importance of collaboration in expanding the network.
“Return and Earn is a product stewardship scheme funded by the beverage industry,” Ms Smalley said.
“It’s great to see beverage suppliers like Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners supporting the community’s participation by hosting a machine onsite.”
For Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners, the new machine reflects a long‑standing connection to the Northmead community.
“Coca‑Cola has proudly been made in Northmead for more than 50 years, and with the installation of this new Return and Earn machine, our consumers can return their containers for recycling right where their favourite drinks are produced,” said Orlando Rodriguez, Managing Director – Australia.
“Investing in local recycling infrastructure to maximise access and convenience keeps beverage containers out of landfill and in the circular economy, without adding to the cost of living.”
Together with our partners, TOMRA Cleanaway is proud to support communities like Parramatta to recycle more, reduce waste and keep valuable materials in the circular economy.
