Return and Earn

Return and Earn is a solution to the ongoing littering of bottles, cans and cartons on our streets, beaches and parks. We can all help solve the litter problem and be rewarded for our efforts through the Return and Earn program.

By collecting eligible drink containers you are able to receive 10 cents per container if you return them at a return point close to you. Return and Earn drink containers are then sent to the MRF (materials recovery facility) to be recycled.

Does your household use any of these types of drink containers?

How much money could you earn in a week by collecting them?

In order to find out if your household is using these drink containers you will need to run a drink container audit.

Setting up a drink container audit -

What you will need:

1. Permission from an adult in your household

2. Gloves (any type will do - garden gloves, washing up gloves)

3. A space outside or something to cover a space indoors (small tarp, newspaper).

4. One weeks worth of drink containers. You will need to let household members know what you are doing and have a place set up to collect the drink containers for a week. Ask household members to be particularly careful with glass items so they don't break.

Thinking about safety -

1. You must wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds or more before you start and after you finish. Then put on gloves.

2. You must look out for glass. If you see any broken glass you must stop straight away and call an adult to remove the glass. If it can't be removed then you will need to stop your audit and try again another day, following the same procedure.

3. Look out for any other sharp or dangerous objects. If you find anything you think may be unsafe, let an adult know.

If you have read about the safety and have everything you need you are ready to start!

Now it's time to run your drink container audit to show if your household are using eligible containers for Return and Earn.

- Have a read of the attached file to help you (see below).

- Print or view the data sheet attached to help you record your results. If you are unable to print this sheet off then just take notes in a workbook, or on a scrap of paper.

- Make sure an adult knows what you are doing and that you have your gloves on.

- Don't forget to wash your hands before and after you finish.

- Find everything you need, lay a tarp or newspaper down if you are inside, and collect your week's worth of drink containers.

Good luck with your sorting! Don't forget to tidy up after you have finished.