NSW councils can apply for the latest round of the Return and Earn bin baskets program, which aims to increase the collection of eligible drink containers from public spaces and reduce the number sent to landfill.
More than 1200 baskets and nearly 60 drink container cradles were distributed to 31 NSW councils earlier this year, with initial data showing an average 69 per cent reduction in drink containers placed into public place bins after installation.
The bin baskets allow community members to leave empty eligible bottles, cans and cartons for others to collect and return through the Return and Earn network for a 10-cent refund. Containers can be collected by anyone, including charities and community groups, and taken to a return point.
Since the scheme began in 2017, more than 16 billion drink containers have been returned through the Return and Earn network, generating more than $1.6 billion in refunds for the community.
The Return and Earn Bin Baskets for Council Program is administered by the scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and funded by Return and Earn. Applications are open to all NSW councils until 31 August 2026.
Danielle Smalley, CEO at Exchange for Change, said, “These baskets provide an easy way for community members to pay it forward, by leaving their unwanted eligible drink containers for others to collect.”
“With two out of every three bottles, cans and cartons supplied into NSW currently recycled through the scheme, our Return and Earn bin baskets are an innovative new way to help keep even more containers out of landfill," he said.
Smalley said the program had received positive feedback from participating councils and the NSW community.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from our participating councils and the NSW community to the Return and Earn bin baskets program, and we’re looking forward to seeing even more bin baskets popping up at local parks, beaches and sporting fields.”
