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'Return and Earn' is the NSW Government's container refund scheme under which residents and businesses can claim a 10 cent refund on most types of drink containers with the aim of reducing litter and increasing recycling.

The scheme provides opportunities for individuals, charities, groups and clubs to earn money by collecting and redeeming drink containers, including containers that have been littered.     

You can choose to reclaim the 10c on the containers you buy or just keep putting them in your yellow recycling bin.  You can also collect the 10c on containers you find on the street or in the park.    

For more information on accepted containers and local collection points see the NSW EPA's Return and Earn site or their Fact Sheet.  Collection points are being added to the list regularly as new sites are found.

Bin Diving

As knowledge of the scheme increases, some residents may find people go through their yellow bin to collect containers as a way to make money.  When your bin is on the kerb, this activity is not illegal (but we encourage people to be respectful and make as little mess and noise as possible). If you’re concerned about privacy, remember to destroy documents so they can’t be read. You can also discourage people going through your bin by putting them out as late as possible the night before collection or putting a sign on it saying something like ‘All containers have been cashed already’.