“Goulburn Mulwaree Council residents are enthusiastic recyclers, having returned over 80 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons through local return points since the scheme began in 2017. That means millions of drink containers have been kept out of green spaces and recycled into new bottles and cans thanks to local recyclers.”
Goulburn’s new Return and Earn Depot opens!
A new Return and Earn depot has officially opened in Goulburn, giving residents an even more convenient and accessible return point to deposit large volumes of eligible cans, bottles and cartons in exchange for a 10c refund.
The Goulburn Return and Earn Depot is the fifth return point in the region, and the first Depot in the Goulburn Mulwaree Council area, was officially opened with a celebration attended by local community groups and charities, including representatives from Endeavour Industries Goulburn and the Goulburn Men’s Shed.
The Goulburn Return and Earn Depot is located at 17 Finlay Road, Goulburn and is open daily from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
How the Goulburn Depot works
The new staffed depot can process up to 100 containers per minute without the need to pre-sort, making it ideal for recyclers returning more than 500 containers.
For those short on time, the depot’s ‘tag and drop’ service lets customers leave bagged containers to be processed later, while the ‘tip and go’ technology on site provides another fast and convenient way to return.
Users can get their refunds via a printed voucher that can be redeemed at Coles for cash or a discount of their shop, or opt for an e-voucher or direct digital payments to their bank account or PayPal by using the Return and Earn app.
Locals can also choose to donate their refunds to one of more than 500 charities on the app. This includes Convoy for Kids Goulburn, supporting children with cancer, terminal illness, and permanent disability. Recyclers can also donate to the current statewide partner, Jeans for Genes, helping fund research into genetic childhood conditions.
15 billion containers and counting
In January 2026 Return and Earn celebrated 15 billion eligible drink containers since the scheme commenced in December 2017.
“Return and Earn has recently celebrated 15 billion containers being recycled since the scheme began eight years ago and this new depot will make recycling even more convenient for Goulburn Mulwaree residents.” said James Dorney.
Danielle Smalley, CEO, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change commented, “Return and Earn not only helps to achieve a cleaner and sustainable environment, it also delivers significant social benefits to the community as a key fundraising channel for so many charities and community groups in NSW.
“More than $1.5 billion in container refunds has also gone back into people’s pockets, helping with the cost of living, saving for a special goal or supporting some amazing causes.”
