511,125,067 reasons to celebrate

new return and earn milestone

As NSW celebrates the major new Return and Earn milestone of 11 billion containers recycled, Central Coast locals have millions of reasons to join in the celebrations, having recycled an incredible 511,125,067 bottles, cans and cartons through their local return points.

28 February 2024

 

THANKS to the incredible support of the Central Coast community, visiting the local return point has become a way of life, resulting in millions of dollars in container refunds back into people’s pockets.

 

Charities and local community groups and schools are also benefitting from the scheme, with a massive $54 million raised statewide for charities and community groups via donated refunds and return point hosting fees.

 

The refunds from container recycling are helping families and individuals with cost-of-living pressures and helping support the work of hundreds of charities and community groups that are using the scheme to fundraise.

 

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said “Coasties have well and truly made the Return and Earn program part of their regular routine. It is thanks to your enthusiastic efforts that we have reached this milestone, creating a more sustainable future for all.

 

“The everyday actions of our community play an important role in the continuing growth of our domestic circular economy, achieving a more sustainable future.

 

“The Return and Earn program proves that sustainability does not have to be difficult, but can be as simple as small actions like recycling bottles, cans and cartons, with every little action combining together for a brighter, greener future.”

 

“The Return and Earn program is an easy way for all of us to help the environment and support the work of some amazing local charities.”

 

On the Central Coast, the collective recycling efforts are making a difference. The positive impact of recycling containers into new containers rather than using virgin materials is equivalent to:

 

*Energy savings equal to the average annual use of 5,332 households’

 

CO2 emissions avoided equal to taking 22,772 cars off the road for a year

 

*Water savings that could fill 1,201 Olympic swimming pools

 

With all plastic and glass drink containers collected through the network recycled in Australia, Return and Earn has become a leading contributor to our growing domestic circular economy.

 

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said “In six short years, Return and Earn has become a shining example of what’s possible when we all work together to recycle our valuable container resources to make NSW a better place.

 

“Return and Earn delivers so many environmental, social and economic benefits, from putting money back into people’s pockets, to supporting the vital work of charities, and providing a clean and reliable stream of recycled materials for manufacturing.”le stream of recycled materials for manufacturing.”

 

For more information, visit your nearest Return and Earn point.