Container recycling milestone reaps benefits for NSW residents

In over four years, 78% of NSW adults participated in Return and Earn, hauling in 7 billion cans and bottles for recycling and pocketing more than $700 million for their efforts.

Other benefits of the initiative included a 52% reduction in the volume of drink container litter in NSW and more than $30 million raised for NSW charities.

Environment Minister James Griffin described these achievements as a “triumph,” and an inspiring example of how small changes to household routines can have a significant collective impact.

“It hits that sweet spot of improving our environment and delivering direct economic wins to the community,” Mr Griffin said.

“It’s encouraging that thousands of schools, community groups, charities, and sporting clubs are making Return and Earn the new ‘sausage sizzle,’ helping raise much needed funds for their own projects and causes.”

Find out how to participate in Return and Earn