New South Wales · Sydney
Container deposit in NSW: what you can return
In New South Wales, Return and Earn pays a 10 cent refund on most aluminium, glass, plastic and carton drink containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres, and has run since December 2017. Wine bottles, spirit bottles, plain milk and cordial bottles are excluded until the scheme expands from mid-2027. Keep containers whole, empty and uncrushed.
Sources Return and Earn: what you can returnReturn and Earn: return point map
What do I do with drink containers in NSW?
- Check the mark Eligible containers carry the scheme's refund mark. If it is missing, check the scheme's eligibility list or app before you bin it.
- Empty it Every scheme wants the container empty. Lids, crushing and sorting rules differ by scheme, so read the state rules below before you bag them up.
- Bag them by type Most depots pay faster if aluminium, glass and plastic are separated.
Return and Earn has run in NSW since Dec 2017, paying 10c a container. Most aluminium, glass, plastic and carton drink containers between 150ml and 3 litres. Wine bottles, spirit bottles, plain milk, cordial, health tonics, pure juice over 1L and casks stay out until the scheme expands from mid-2027 to take wine and spirit bottles and larger containers. Containers must be empty, uncrushed, unbroken, carry a visible barcode and have lids on where possible.
Nearest drop-off: Find CRCs or Chemical CleanOuts (NSW EPA)
Which containers can I return in NSW?
Most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres earn 10 cents through Return and Earn. Excluded: anything under 150 millilitres or over 3 litres, wine bottles, spirit bottles, plain milk bottles, cordial bottles, health tonics, pure juice over 1 litre, and wine or water casks and sachets.
Do I need to leave the lids on in NSW?
Yes, where possible. Return and Earn asks for containers that are empty, uncrushed, unbroken, with a visible barcode and with lids on where possible. A crushed or broken container will not be accepted, and a reverse vending machine cannot read a barcode that has been damaged, so keep them whole from the bin to the return point.
Where do wine and spirit bottles go in NSW?
In the yellow-lid kerbside recycling bin for now. Return and Earn does not accept glass wine or spirit bottles, and the scheme operator asks people to keep putting them in kerbside recycling until return points are ready. The scheme expands from mid-2027 to take wine and spirit bottles and larger containers, moving to almost all containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres.
Where is my nearest Return and Earn point?
Return and Earn return points run across New South Wales, and the scheme's map at returnandearn.org.au/map lists the nearest one. Check it before you travel with a full boot, because locations change. Take containers whole, empty and with a visible barcode, since a damaged or crushed container will be turned away whatever the return point.
Need it gone this week?
Compare council collection, recycling and pickup options on the skip bin hire page for Sydney.