More Return and Earn bin baskets available until 31 August 2026

Applications have opened to all NSW councils for the latest round of the Return and Earn bin baskets programme. The round follows an earlier 2026 rollout that sent more than 1,200 baskets and nearly 60 drink container cradles to 31 councils.

Return and Earn uses the baskets to keep bottles, cans and cartons out of public bins and landfill. People can leave eligible containers in a basket, and another person can take them to a return point for the 10c refund.

Initial council data shows a 69% average drop in drink containers going into public place bins after installation. As a result, fewer eligible containers end up in landfill.

Earlier in 2026, councils placed the baskets in parks, beachfronts and other public spaces across NSW. Charities and community groups can also collect containers from the baskets and claim the refund.

Round one councils

Round one included Ballina Shire, Bathurst Regional, Bega Valley Shire, Blacktown City, Byron Shire, Campbelltown City, Coonamble Shire, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional, Cowra Shire, Edward River, Georges River, Goulburn Mulwaree, Hawkesbury City, Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Maitland City, Narromine Shire, Penrith City, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, Shellharbour City, Snowy Monaro Regional, Strathfield, Tweed Shire, Walgett Shire, Willoughby City and Woollahra Municipal.

According to Return and Earn, the baskets suit beaches, sporting fields and local parks where people often finish drinks away from home. Anyone passing by can collect the containers, including local charities and community groups.

Since 2017, the community has returned more than 16 billion drink containers through the Return and Earn network. Those returns have delivered more than $1.6 billion in refunds to the community.

Danielle Smalley, chief executive of Exchange for Change, said the baskets give people an easy way to “pay it forward” by leaving eligible containers for others to collect.

Smalley also said two out of every three bottles, cans and cartons supplied into NSW are now recycled through the scheme. Exchange for Change administers the bin baskets programme, while Return and Earn funds it.

Applications for the Return and Earn Bin Baskets for Council programme close on 31 August 2026. Councils can apply at www.returnandearn.org.au/councils.