New Return and Earn sites a fundraising success for schools, clubs and charities

Vinnies Return and Earn depots across NSW recently marked a significant milestone, processing a staggering half a billion containers over the six years since the scheme was introduced.

This achievement highlights the program's success, not only in promoting recycling but also in supporting local communities through the 10-cent container refund initiative.

The recent opening of new facilities in Griffith and Maitland has boosted the total capacity of Vinnies-operated container deposit sites across NSW. These depots have proven to be a valuable resource for residents of regional areas, allowing more people across the state to access and utilise the Return and Earn scheme.

One of the key features driving the success of the Vinnies depots is the convenient drive-through service. With the capability to process up to 100 containers per minute without the need to sort plastics from glass, these bulk processing facilities are a favorite among local businesses, sporting teams, and schools that contribute large volumes of recyclable items.

Regional Impact and Community Support

The expansion of Vinnies Return and Earn sites into regional NSW has been particularly beneficial. In Maitland, the newly opened facility in Rutherford has quickly become a community hub. Local groups, such as the Maitland Sunrise Rotary Club, have embraced the opportunity to raise funds through container recycling. The Rotary Club’s can and bottle recycling program has raised over $10,000 in just one year, with proceeds supporting environmental and community projects. Since its opening in April 2024, the Maitland depot has processed over 2 million containers.

In nearby Cardiff, the Return and Earn facility has been a longstanding success, processing 100 million containers over its six years of operation. The environmental benefits are considerable, with energy savings equivalent to 131,600 gigajoules, water savings of 588 million liters, and over 12 million kilograms of CO2 emissions prevented.

Riverina’s Recycling Champions

The Griffith community has welcomed their new Return and Earn depot. Binya Public School's Parents and Citizens (P&C) group are collecting up to 3,000 containers weekly for regular drop offs. Students actively participate in packing the containers, which are then transported to the Griffith depot. The funds raised contribute directly to enhancing educational resources, staffing, and essential learning materials. The Griffith facility has already processed over 1.5 million containers since its opening, injecting $150,000 in refunds back into the local community.

In Wagga Wagga, the depot has processed more than 75 million containers since 2019, translating into significant environmental benefits and community support.

Tweed Heads and Dubbo: Community-Driven Success

In Tweed Heads, the Bogangar Public School’s P&C has harnessed the power of the Return and Earn program to fundraise for school projects. With support from parents, community members, and local businesses, the school has raised over $4,500 in the past two years, funding new playgrounds and shade sails. The Tweed Heads facility, operational since 2021, has processed 14 million containers, including four million in 2024 alone.

The Vinnies Return and Earn site in Dubbo has been a focal point for community-driven recycling efforts. Help A Mate, a charity founded by Mick O’Neill of Western Plains Turf, collects containers from across the city, with proceeds supporting local charities like Tradies In Sight which promotes mental health awareness among men. Since 2019, the Dubbo facility has processed nearly 80 million containers, including 11 million so far in 2024.

Metro Contribution

At Accor’s Mercure Penrith, hotel maintenance staff have integrated container recycling into their routine, collecting containers from guests and sending them to the local Nepean Return and Earn depot. The proceeds are split, with half benefiting the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and the other half supporting local community events and sponsorships. The Nepean facility, which opened in 2018, now processes an average of 350,000 containers each week and has handled over 11 million containers in 2024.