TOMRA Cleanaway recently applauded partner, St Vincent de Paul Society of NSW for a considerable milestone in their ‘Return and Earn‘ journey.
Across NSW, Vinnie’s Return and Earn Depots have celebrated an incredible milestone, processing over half a billion (500,000,000) containers since the NSW container deposit scheme commenced in December 2017!
TOMRA Cleanaway CEO, James Dorney said, “We’re proud to partner with Vinnies to deliver bulk return points across NSW. This milestone is an impressive one and showcases Vinnies commitment to community, and the environment.”
“Not-for-profit partners like Vinnies are a vital part of TOMRA Cleanaway’s Container Deposit Scheme networks, providing an opportunity for us to support the community and provide enhanced positive outcomes, through processing fees, donations and employment opportunities.”
Vinnies has embraced the opportunity to deliver new revenue and engagement with participants, and operates 10 Return and Earn depots across NSW. New bulk container deposit facilities were opened earlier in 2024 in the regional hubs of Griffith and Maitland, which have increased the total capacity of the container deposit sites operated by Vinnies around NSW.
“Our Vinnies Return and Earn depots have delivered exceptional results in diverting waste that could otherwise end up in landfill, as well as supporting local communities through the 10 cent container refunds,” says Phil Coyte, Executive Director of Commercial Enterprise, Retail, and Fundraising at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
Each Vinnies Return and Earn depot is a convenient drive-through experience with the ability to process up to 100 containers a minute without the need to sorting plastics from glass. The depot format makes it easy for customers using the bulk processing facilities powered by TOMRA. Depots are ideal for bulk container returns, particularly for local businesses, sporting teams and schools.
Mr Dorney explained, “With most of the Vinnies Return and Earn depots situated outside of Sydney, we’re pleased to support the residents and communities of regional NSW with a return point solution that helps them to take part in Return and Earn, support their community and the environment.”
As a return point operator, Vinnies receives a handling fee for every container processed through its facilities. This has become a significant revenue stream for St Vincent de Paul Society NSW which is reinvested into the community through our programs and services.
Maitland and Greater Newcastle Return and Earn Depots
In Rutherford, the new Maitland Return and Earn Depot has been welcomed by locals looking to receive refunds on their eligible containers as well as community groups looking for charitable ways to fundraise. Members of the Maitland Sunrise Rotary Club have been using the conveniently located Maitland Return and Earn depot every week with loads of containers collected from the Bowling Club and Golf Club each Friday. The Rotary Club’s container recycling program has raised over $10,000 since it was established one year ago, with proceeds donated to Landcare or funding other environmental or community projects.
The Cardiff Return and Earn Depot has processed an impressive 100 million containers during its six years of operation—the equivalent of 131,600 gigajoules of energy savings, 588 million litres of water savings and over 12 million kgs of CO2 emissions saved. In Maitland, nearly 1.5 million containers have passed through the facility since it began operation in April.
In the past year, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW assisted over 14,000 individuals in the Newcastle & Hunter region and distributed more than $1.8 million in financial and material assistance to residents in need—this was a 10% increase on the previous year. Of the people reaching out, 95% needed food assistance and 49% were experiencing housing stress.
Penrith Return and Earn Depot supporting the Nepean community
According to Area Manager Richard O’Keefe, who has headed up the Nepean Return and Earn Depot at Penrith since 2023, this statewide milestone of half a billion containers is extremely significant.
“What I think is most rewarding for me, is that when we talk about half a billion containers, that number itself represents the potential for all those customers that come into all our sites to have that extra revenue in their pocket at a time when our communities are doing it tough,” he said.
O’Keefe said that the depot itself has been a hub for building community spirit.
“Some people just come in for a chat sometimes and bring in a dozen or half a dozen cans,” he said.
“It’s quite good to stand there and watch people who are getting ready to be served. Other customers who don’t know these people from a bar of soap half the time will actually get in and help them load their stuff up or unload their cars, so there’s a real comradery that occurs at the site.”
Local companies have also been getting involved. Staff at Accor’s Mercure Penrith regularly collect containers from guests staying at the hotel and bring them to the depot every few weeks, splitting proceeds 50-50 between Vinnies, and distributing it to the community in other ways, such as through events and sponsorships.
Griffith Return and Earn Depot, bulk container returns for the Riverina Community
The new Griffith Return and Earn Depot has been welcomed by locals looking to receive refunds on their eligible containers as well as community groups looking for charitable ways to fundraise. At Binya Public School, the P&C are currently collecting up to 3,000 containers each week with young students pitching in by packing containers to be transported to the depot. The funds raised are providing additional resources for children at the school ranging from staffing, books and other essential learning items.
Wagga Wagga Return and Earn Depot, celebrating 5 years
In Wagga Wagga, nearly 80 million containers have passed through Wagga Wagga Return and Earn Depot since it began operation in 2019. That’s the equivalent of 105,280 gigajoules of energy savings, 470 million litres of water savings and over 9.6 million kgs of CO2 emissions saved. These impressive statistics further showcase the immense impact that container deposit schemes have on the environment, beyond litter reduction.
Return and Earn supporting St Vincent de Paul NSW
You can learn more about Vinnie’s important work on their website at https://www.vinnies.org.au/nsw
For more information on Vinnie’s Return and Earn Depots visit https://www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/get-involved/vinnies-and-the-return-and-earn-scheme
