NSW councils are invited to apply for the latest round of the Return and Earn bin baskets program, which is helping keep bottles, cans and cartons out of landfill and into the hands of eager recyclers.
The simple but innovative solution to recycling drink containers ‘on-the-go’ is becoming a regular sight at parks, beachfronts and other public spaces, with over 1,200 baskets and nearly 60 drink container cradles distributed to 31 NSW councils earlier this year.
The bin baskets are proving very effective at reducing landfill. Initial data from participating councils after installation shows an average of 69 per cent reduction in drink containers going into public place bins, and ultimately landfill.
More councils can take advantage of Return and Earn bin baskets with applications now open to all NSW councils.
The Return and Earn bin baskets encourage community members when out and about to leave their empty eligible containers in the baskets for someone else to collect. Anyone passing by, including charities or community groups, can collect the drink containers to take to their nearest return point for the 10c refund.
Since the scheme began in 2017, more than 16 billion drink containers have been returned by the community through the return point network, and over $1.6 billion in refunds back to the community.
Applications for the Return and Earn Bin Baskets for Council Program close on 31 August 2026.
