At TOMRA Cleanaway, we believe container deposit schemes are about more than “just” recycling and reducing waste—it’s about creating opportunities for communities to make a real difference. That’s why major donation partner campaigns through Schemes including Return and Earn are so important. They enable everyday Australians to support causes that matter to them, simply by returning their eligible drink containers.
The latest major donation partnership for Return and Earn is one that touches hearts across the state: Jeans for Genes, the iconic fundraising campaign of the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI). The partnership turns bottles and cans into life-saving research. The goal? Raise $200,000 to fund cures for children’s genetic conditions.
From now until 20 April 2026, you can donate your 10c container refunds to Jeans for Genes at any Return and Earn machine or depot across NSW. It’s an easy way to recycle and give back at the same time.
Your support matters to Jeans for Genes and their critical research
For more than 30 years, Australians have supported CMRI through gold coin donations on Jeans for Genes Day. Now, thanks to Return and Earn, that same generosity can flow through your eligible bottles and cans.
As CMRI Director Professor Roger Reddel explains:
“Our scientists are always striving to innovate and change the lives of children, and we are incredibly grateful to be part of this impactful scheme that allows everyday Australians to fund our research by simply donating their refunds.”
Seven-year-old Alessia, the face of this campaign, is living proof of what research can achieve. Born with a serious genetic condition, Alessia is thriving today thanks to breakthroughs funded by community support. Her father, Adam, reminds us:
“Without research we wouldn’t have Alessia – but there are more than 6,000 genetic diseases and most of them don’t have any effective treatment options yet. The spare change you collect through Return and Earn can add up when whole communities get onboard.”
Behind the Scenes: A Glimpse into Life-Changing Research
Last week, Scheme Partners including TOMRA Cleanaway, NSW EPA, TOMRA Collection Australia and Exchange for Change, had the privilege of touring CMRI’s cutting-edge laboratories. The visit offered incredible insights into the pioneering work being done to tackle genetic diseases—from gene therapy to advanced diagnostics. Seeing firsthand how donations translate into hope and cures reinforced why partnerships like this matter so much.
The Bigger Picture
Since its launch in December 2017, Return and Earn has seen more than 14.6 billion containers returned and over $82 million raised for community groups and charities. These achievements are possible because of the generosity of NSW communities and the collaboration between the NSW Government, the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Exchange for Change, and TOMRA Cleanaway.
Now, thanks to the Jeans for Genes major donation partnership, every container you return can help fund research that saves lives. Together, we can turn recycling into something extraordinary—containers into cures.
Images: Tenille Salmon – Soul Images
