Every 6 months, Return and Earn welcomes a new major donation partner that is featured across the TOMRA Cleanaway’s Return and Earn network. Major donation partners are an opportunity to encourage our community to donate some or all of their eligible containers to support a worthy cause. Between April and October 2025, Guide Dogs NSW & ACT is the Return and Earn major donation partner. That means the NSW community can select “donate” onscreen at over 340 Return and Earn machines or “Tag and Drop” at 44 Return and Earn depots across the state to support Guide Dogs with their eligible drink containers.

Guide Dogs NSW supporting those with low vision and blindness

This means that your 10c container refunds can be turned into vital funds that help people living with blindness and low vision gain confidence, freedom, and independence. It’s a simple act of recycling that has a truly profound impact.

Guide Dogs does more than “just” provide trained dogs to assist those with blindness and low vision to navigate the world. They provide social connection with group meet ups, support with accessibility tools and technology and even support dogs for victims of crime in the court system. Customers have been enthusiastic to donate their refunds to such a worthy cause, which means more people are choosing Return and Earn more of their containers.

Three people and a guide dog standing in front of a digital billboard showcasing Guide Dogs as the featured Return and Earn charity
Four people standing in front of a digital billboard showcasing Guide Dogs as the featured Return and Earn charity
Three people and a guide dog standing in front of a digital billboard showcasing Guide Dogs as the featured Return and Earn charity

How Guide Dogs supports Tony

Guide Dogs Client Tony explains how much his Guide Dog Solo has changed his life, and the incredible impact this initiative will make. “When my vision deteriorated, my world was turned upside down. Guide Dogs completely changed my life and helped increase my confidence, freedom, and independence, ultimately giving me my life back.

“I cannot thank the people who donate and support us enough, it’s an amazing gift and without fundraising initiatives like this, Solo wouldn’t be possible. It’s incredible to think something as simple as recycling a bottle can add up to something truly life changing.”

Return and Earn supporting Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

Jaynie Moloney, Community Engagement Manager for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, said “We are so excited to kick off this partnership with Return and Earn, it’s such a fantastic way to enable people to support the causes they care about in an easy and affordable way.

“We know it is getting increasingly hard for people to give, which is why this partnership with Return and Earn couldn’t have come at a better time. We’re incredibly thankful for the generosity of the community and the real impact that their contributions make.”

Four people standing in front of a digital billboard showcasing Guide Dogs as the featured Return and Earn charity

A collaborative effort to support our community

This partnership is a prime example of how collaboration can create significant positive change.

James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway, Network Operator for Return and Earn, said “The money raised in this campaign will have such a significant impact on the lives of people living with low vision and blindness, by giving them the tools and support needed to safely and confidently navigate their communities. I encourage everyone to get behind this cause and help us reach our target of $175,000 by 19 October.

Shirani Glover, Acting CEO, Exchange for Change, scheme coordinator for Return and Earn, said “Return and Earn has become an important fundraising channel for many community groups and charities across NSW with more than $72 million raised through donations and return point hosting fees since the scheme began in 2017. It’s wonderful that helping the environment can also benefit important causes like Guide Dogs.”

A guide dog sitting to the left of a white reuseable bag that reads Return and Earn
A guide dog sitting to the left of a white reuseable bag that reads Return and Earn

How You Can Make a Difference

Every eligible drink container you return is a step towards providing a Guide Dog and vital support services to someone in need. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT aims to raise over $150,000 during this six-month campaign.

Donating is easy:

  • At a machine: Select “donate” on-screen at one of the over 340 Return and Earn machines.
  • At a depot: Use “Tag and Drop” at one of the 44 Return and Earn depots across NSW.
  • Using the app: Select Guide Dogs NSW/ACT as your chosen charity on the Return and Earn app.

Whether you return 5 containers or 500, every little bit helps. So next time you finish a drink, consider the life-changing impact your 10c refund can have.