We have announced that Return and Earn is expanding to include wine and spirits bottles, cordial and concentrates containers, and larger sized drink containers.

The scheme is helping New South Wales move towards a circular economy by using resources efficiently and making them as productive as possible.

Return and Earn has changed the way we think about recycling and litter by turning waste into a valuable resource.

Return and Earn’s success is due to strong community and industry participation with 89% of NSW adults supporting the scheme. It is now time to look at ways to build on that success.

We asked the community, environmental groups, beverage and recycling industries and local councils about how the scheme could recycle even more drink containers and further stimulate the growth of the circular economy.

The views on the proposals in the Discussion paper: Driving NSW’s circular economy were highly valued and helped inform the future of Return and Earn in NSW.

We would like to thank everyone who participated for the valuable feedback on our Discussion Paper: Driving NSW Circular Economy in late 2022. We received close to 1,000 submissions, with 93% of respondents supportive of the expansion. You are encouraged to read the Consultation Summary Report.

As a part of this consultation, the EPA also reviewed the current CDS legislation and the related regulation framework to make sure its objectives are still valid and that it will set Return and Earn up for further success.

The Statutory Review found the legislation is working well, but some improvements can be made to enhance the operational experience and transparency for Return and Earn participants. We plan to consult with industry on implementing some of these changes.

Please note, your feedback on the Discussion paper: Driving NSW’s circular economy may include ‘personal information,' including your name, address, email, internet protocol address and any other personal information contained in your feedback.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (the EPA) must comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Visit the EPA’s privacy page and the Privacy Policy for further information on its online consultation platform.

The EPA may publish all or part of your feedback on its website, on its online consultation platform or in a consultation report. In providing us with your feedback, you consent to the EPA publishing all or part of your submission. If you would like all or part of your feedback to be withheld from publication, please let us know when making your feedback.

If you send us an email, we will record your email for the purpose of responding to you.

All information held by the EPA is subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.