A new statewide campaign in partnership with The Smith Family is calling on communities to “turn bottles into books” with a goal of raising $200,000 to support children and young people experiencing disadvantage.

Through the Return and Earn network, every eligible drink container donated contributes 10 cents to The Smith Family. It might sound small; but the impact stacks up quickly:

• 30 containers = one book for a student in need
• Donations can be made at any Return and Earn machine, depot, or via the Return and Earn app

With over 600 return points across the state, NSW communities have easy access to sites allowing them to turn everyday recycling into meaningful support.

Since launching in 2017, the Return and Earn scheme has already raised more than $100 million for charities and community groups through donation and handling fees, demonstrating the power of collective action.

Behind this campaign is a stark reality, not all children in Australia have equal access to education.

The Smith Family works directly with young people experiencing disadvantage, and the numbers highlight why support matters:

• 1 in 6 Australian children lives in poverty
• Around 1.2 million children and young people are growing up in low-income households
• Students facing disadvantage can be 2–3 years behind in reading and maths by age 15
• Many lack essentials like books, digital access, and school supplies

Without support, these barriers can follow students throughout their lives, impacting education, employment opportunities, and long-term wellbeing.

The Smith Family is Australia’s largest children’s education charity and has been supporting families for more than a century.

Today, the organisation:

• Supports around 72,000 students through its Learning for Life program
• Works with 780 schools across Australia
• Reaches almost 186,000 children and young people annually through its programs

Its flagship Learning for Life program provides:

• Financial support for school essentials
• Access to tutoring and out-of-school learning programs
• Ongoing mentorship and personal support

This wraparound approach helps students stay engaged, complete their education, and build better futures.

One of the strengths of the Return and Earn network is accessibility. With TOMRA Cleanaway operating a broad network of return points, donating is as easy as part of a regular recycling routine.

As TOMRA Cleanaway CEO James Dorney explains, the campaign is designed to make giving back simple:

“Donating just 30 containers will help put a book in the hands of a young person who needs it.”

Whether it’s families, workplaces, schools, or community groups, every container returned becomes a small but powerful contribution to educational equity.

Education is one of the most powerful drivers of opportunity – but for many children, it’s not a level playing field. This campaign shows that something as simple as returning a bottle or can help bridge that gap.

By supporting The Smith Family through Return and Earn, communities across NSW can:

• Help provide essential learning resources
• Support students to stay engaged at school
• Break cycles of disadvantage

And it all starts with the containers you already collect.

Ready to make a difference?
Next time you return your bottles and cans, consider donating your refund to The Smith Family and help turn small actions into brighter futures.

Find your nearest Return and Earn refund point here.