Vinnies Return and Earn depots achieve half a billion containers processed

Vinnies Return and Earn depots across NSW have achieved milestone numbers with a massive half a billion containers processed over the six years that the scheme has been in operation. 

New facilities in Griffith and Maitland, which opened to the public this year, have increased the total capacity of the container deposit sites operated by Vinnies around NSW. 

“Our Vinnies Return and Earn depots have delivered exceptional results in diverting waste that could otherwise end up in landfill, as well as supporting local communities through the 10 cent container refunds,” says Phil Coyte, Executive Director of Commercial Enterprise, Retail, and Fundraising at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. 

A convenient drive-through service with the ability to process up to 100 containers a minute without sorting plastics from glass makes it easy for customers using the bulk processing facilities, including local businesses, sporting teams and schools who are bringing in large volumes of recyclable items. 

With most of the Vinnies Return and Earn sites situated outside of Sydney, residents of regional NSW are able to make use of the container deposit scheme.  

As a return point operator, Vinnies receives a handling fee for every container processed through its facilities. This has become an important revenue stream for St Vincent de Paul Society which is reinvested into the community through our programs and services.