Return and Earn will expand to accept wine and spirits bottles

The Return and Earn container recycling scheme is about to be expanded to take glass wine and spirits bottles — putting $40 million back into drinkers’ pockets.

Families will get a small return on their favourite tipple with the state government expanding the Return and Earn recycling scheme to include booze containers.

Glass wine and spirits bottles, and even cask wine sachets, will be accepted for the first time under a planned expansion of a scheme that has seen more than 8 billion containers returned since 2017.

Under the new plan, now open for public consultation, an extra 400 million containers could be returned each year — putting $40 million back into drinkers’ pockets.

Environment Minister James Griffin said the plan would see almost all beverage containers between 150ml and three litres accepted.

“From an environmental perspective this initiative is kicking goals, and has been since it started in 2017,” he said.

Return and Earn will soon include wine and spirits bottles in its cashback scheme. Picture: iStock

“Since then, the amount of drink container litter has reduced by 52 per cent in NSW, and that’s a pretty powerful reason to expand it so that litter doesn’t end up in waterways and parks.

“At the moment beer, cider and a range of other alcoholic beverages can be returned. Under the expansion of the scheme everyone from wine connoisseurs to those who love cask wine will be able to participate.”

Mr Griffin said the time was right — and the technology ready — for the scheme to be extended.

“The scheme operators were forward-looking, so the technology has been designed so it’s ready to go. We won’t have to touch the 620-plus return points across the state,” he said.

“In terms of technology, the only thing that needs to be put in place is barcoding, and we’ll be consulting with industry on that.

“It’s a scheme that has really captured the imagination of people across NSW, with 80 per cent of people having participated, and we’ll be working to ensure consumers are aware of the proposed changes.”

The Return and Earn scheme has been operating in NSW since 2017.

Consultation will be complete by early December, so, potentially, bottles of plonk popped for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations could find their way into Return And Earn collection points.

Milk and health tonics will continue to be excluded.

“Milk is harder to deal with due to the contamination element, and there’s other ways that milk cartons can be recycled,” Mr Griffin said.

The scheme has been great for the likes of Cooper Birtles, who is saving up to build his dream car — one bottle at a time.

Cooper Birtles has been collecting recyclable bottles to fund the car he is restoring with dad Trent. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

In a little over a year, the 12-year-old from West Hoxton has collected enough drink containers from around his neighbourhood to earn $1760.

He’s funnelling the funds into the shell of a 1992 Holden Rodeo ute gifted to him by his parents, which he’s rebuilding with his dad, Trent.

“I’m too young to get a job, so Return and Earn is a good way to get some extra cash,” Cooper said.

“I really wanted to contribute to my car and it’s also good to know that the cans and bottles I collect are not going to landfill.”

Cooper’s mum Angela said she was proud of his efforts and appreciated the support of locals.

“He wanted to start saving when he was young so by the time he gets his licence, his car will be ready for the road,” she said.

“He posted on Facebook and people in the community have really supported him, donating their own recycling to help him reach his goal.

“We’re proud of him for taking the initiative and in the process he’s learning a lot about the value of work, and the importance of recycling.”

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