This Christmas and New Year’s take your bottles and eligible containers to Vinnies Return and Earn locations around NSW

Make sure you recycle your bottles and eligible containers at Vinnies Return and Earn depots after celebrations this Christmas and New Year’s.

Last financial year, they raised $1.1 million for the St Vincent de Paul Society and $7.8 million in refunds for customers.

“More than 95 million containers were processed in the 2021/22 financial year and 100 plus containers are being processed every minute.

“This is a massive success and has only been achievable through the help of kind individuals and organisations in the community,” St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Director of Commercial Enterprise, Mitch Saddler, said.

“This Christmas and New Year’s, collect your drink cans and bottles from the festivities and bring them down to any Vinnies Return and Earn Depot to get 10 cents back per container.

“It’s a great way to earn some money, help the environment, and keep litter out of local parks and waterways,” Mr Saddler said.

“Recycling at a Vinnies depot is an assisted and automated process, meaning that customers don’t need to sort or count their load.

“Just drive in and drive out – friendly customer service is available to help.

“Return and Earn is the easy and fast way to recycle, saving you time, effort, and money.

“Earnings can be refunded on-the-spot or you can choose to donate some or all of the refund to the St Vincent de Paul Society, which helps support community services.

“Tax-deductible receipts are issued for donations over $2.

“It’s a win-win,” Mr Saddler said.

“No matter what, recycling with Vinnies Return and Earn goes towards the community.

“The St Vincent de Paul Society receives a small handling fee from operating the depots and all proceeds go into Vinnies services.

“Vinnies services are a lifeline for those in difficult circumstances such as homelessness and serious financial hardship, especially through the Christmas and New Year’s period.

“It’s a really good feeling knowing that your recycling contributes to something a little bit bigger,” Mr Saddler said.

Members, volunteers, and staff at Vinnies services have assisted over 31,000 people this year from January to November and, with the rising cost of living, we are expecting more people to seek assistance.

Organisations such as schools, community groups, and businesses can partner with Vinnies to help reduce garbage disposal costs by removing recyclables from their waste streams.

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW operates Return and Earn depots in Cardiff, Dubbo, Maitland, Nepean, Shoalhaven, Tweed Heads, Unanderra, and Wagga Wagga.

All sites are closed from the 24th of December to the 27th of December.

Return and Earn Depots will open again on Wednesday the 28th of December.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones | 0417 446 430