Discussion with Ex-Environmental Minister of New South Wales, James Griffin, on the Successful Strategies to Combat Plastic Pollution in Australia
A New Era of Recycling in New South Wales: The Return and Earn Program
In a bid to combat plastic pollution and promote recycling, the Return and Earn container recycling program was launched in New South Wales, Australia, in December 2017. This groundbreaking initiative is a collaborative effort between the New South Wales Government, the scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, and the private sector network operator TOMRA Cleanaway.
The heart of the program lies in the reverse vending machines (RVMs), which allow people to return eligible drink containers in exchange for a refundable deposit. These machines, placed across the state, have been instrumental in automating around 95% of container returns, making recycling more accessible and efficient.
The program has achieved remarkable environmental and social impact. As of August 2025, it has recycled an impressive 14 billion containers, saving water equivalent to 32,840 Olympic-sized swimming pools, energy to power 191,100 homes for one year, and carbon emissions equal to removing over 1 million cars from roads annually.
The economic and social benefits are equally significant. Over $1.4 billion in container refunds have been returned to consumers, providing cost-of-living relief and supporting charitable donations. Moreover, more than $82 million has been raised for charities and community groups via donations and hosting fees at return points.
TOMRA Cleanaway, a private company specializing in reverse vending technology, manages the collection network, ensuring efficient container processing and recycling. Exchange for Change coordinates the scheme operations, engaging industry partners and community organizations. Local governments, councils, and community groups also play a crucial role by hosting return points, increasing accessibility and participation.
The program encourages consumer participation, offering them the opportunity to receive money that they can choose to donate to charities and organizations. The private sector, in turn, can receive the recycled waste as a valuable commodity or material.
The discussions with the private sector focused on understanding what a good solution looked like to them and what opportunities existed. This collaborative approach has been key to the program's success.
In conclusion, the Return and Earn program demonstrates how government-industry-community partnerships can effectively combat plastic pollution and incentivize recycling using innovative reverse vending technology. As the program continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a model for other regions seeking to implement similar initiatives.
[1] Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme, NSW Environment Protection Authority, https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/container-deposit-scheme [2] TOMRA Cleanaway, https://www.tomracleanaway.com.au/ [3] Exchange for Change, https://exchangeforchange.org.au/
- The success of the Return and Earn container recycling program, which combat plastic pollution and promote recycling, exemplifies the impact of government-industry-community partnerships in environmental-science, particularly in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics.
- The widespread adoption of reverse vending machines (RVMs) in the Return and Earn program, a groundbreaking initiative in New South Wales, Australia, showcases the potential of climate-change solutions in the general-news, demonstrating a significant shift towards a more sustainable environment.
- As the Return and Earn program continues to evolve, delivering economic and social benefits such as cost-of-living relief, charitable donations, and funding for community groups, it stands as a prime example of how environmental-science, specifically waste management and recycling policies, can contribute positively to society.
