NSW recyclers have benefited from $1.5 billion in refunds by returning a record 15 billion containers through Return and Earn.

Enthusiasm for Return and Earn has seen the tally of bottles, cartons and cans returned through the network soar from 14 billion to 15 billion containers in less than six months.

The 15 billion milestone has been reached as the NSW Government prepares to expand the scheme to accept wine and spirit bottles and larger drink containers from mid-2027.

The NSW Government said the scheme expansion will divert an estimated 27,000 tonnes of materials from NSW landfills annually, and make an additional 362 million containers eligible for the 10 cent refund each year.

Return and Earn was first introduced as a litter reduction initiative and has become an integral part of NSW’s circular economy, with glass and plastic bottles processed and back on the shelves within weeks of being returned.

Return and Earn has also become a key fundraising platform for charities and community groups, with over $91.5 million in container refund donations and fees from hosting return points to support worthy causes since 2017.

NSW Acting Minister for the Environment Steve Whan said: “This impressive milestone of 15 billion containers shows just how much the community loves Return and Earn. The tally will only continue to grow, especially over summer when around nine million containers are returned each day.

“By accepting more types of containers in the future, including wine and spirit bottles, NSW will boost recycling rates, divert more waste from landfill and deliver a more robust circular economy.”

Wine industry concerns over scheme expansion

NSW and South Australia announced in September 2025 that their states’ container deposit scheme was set to expand to accept wine and spirit bottles and larger drink containers.

Queensland has already integrated glass wine and spirit bottles into their container deposit scheme. Western Australia committed to expanding their scheme during their recent state election. The Northern Territory has also recently announced it will bring in legislation to expand its scheme.

Small wine producers have expressed concerns about the expansion of the schemes, saying they place a financial and administrative burden on them that outweighs any environmental gains.

South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) chief executive Inca Lee told ABC News expanding the scheme could cost South Australian wine makers $40 million annually.

“Some smaller wine makers have actually chosen not to ship wine into Queensland because of the cost burden,” she said.

South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close said: “We’ve listened to industry concerns, particularly from smaller wine producers, and we will continue to engage closely with them as reforms roll out.

“We will assist the wine and spirit industry with this transition and will work with the industry to ensure the least cost, simplest approach possible, with a special focus on assisting smaller operations.”