“This impressive milestone means over $1.4 billion in container refunds has gone back into people’s pockets, helping with the cost of living, saving for a special goal or supporting some amazing organisations,”
James Dorney, CEO of network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.
14 billion containers for Return and Earn
The New South Wales Return and Earn container deposit scheme has reached a new major recycling milestone, celebrating 14 billion containers returned since the scheme commenced in December 2017.
Seven years since the scheme launched as a litter reduction initiative, Return and Earn has grown to over 660 return points across the state, and is continuing to deliver strong environmental, social, and economic benefits for communities across the state.
Delivering positive environmental outcomes
The positive environmental impact of returning 14 billion bottles and cans for recycling instead of making new containers with virgin materials includes water savings equivalent to:
- 32,840 Olympic-sized swimming pools,
- energy savings equivalent to powering 191,100 homes for an entire year and
- carbon emission savings equivalent to taking 1,017,400 cars off the road annually.
James Dorney, Chief Executive Officer of network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, said this milestone means more than $1.4 billion in container refunds have gone back into people’s pockets.
“Ultimately helping with the cost of living, saving for a special goal or supporting some amazing organisations,” he said.
Danielle Smalley, Chief Executive Officer of scheme coordinator, Exchange for Change, said more than $82 million has been raised for charities and community groups through donations and return point hosting fees.
Celebrating the community, with the community
To celebrate the milestone Return Point Operators across NSW held community celebrations. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the people that drive Return and Earn, celebrating operators, truck drivers, technicians, cleaners, recyclers, charities and community groups that have each contributed to the success of recycling over 14 billion containers in just 7.5 years.
“Return and Earn is one of the best product stewardship schemes in the country and shows what incredible environmental, economic and social outcomes can be achieved when government, industry and the community work together,” she said.
The 14 billion milestone coincides with Return and Earn releasing the latest Local Government Volume Report, which shows community participation in container returning by council area in the past six months.
Return and Earn is delivered in partnership between the New South Wales Government, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.
For more information, visit: returnandearn.org.au/
