The Minns Labor Government is continuing to work with the Kiama community to promote environmental protection through recycling under the container deposit scheme Return and Earn.

The most successful recycling program in the country has been incredibly popular throughout the Kiama electorate and is set to expand from mid-2027 to accept wine and spirit bottles and larger drink containers.

Residents across Kiama, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven local government areas have returned more than 417 million containers have already been returned across 10 return points, delivering $41 million back to the community. In terms of environmental benefits this means:

• Saving 978 Olympic sized swimming pools of water
  
  
• Enough energy to power 5,700 households for a year
  
  
• A reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to taking 30,304 cars off the road for a year.

For local charities like the Gerringong Lions Club, Return and Earn has been a gamechanger, helping them raise $170,000 to support their work in the community. With over 1.7 million drink containers recycled by the club they are using the money to support sporting groups, schools and vulnerable members of the community.

There are over 600 return points across New South Wales, and community members are able to get a 10-cent refund when they return an eligible drink container.

From mid-2027, Return and Earn will grow to include:

• Wine and spirits glass bottles
  
  
• Cordials and juice concentrate containers
  
  
• Larger containers of up to three litres of beverages that are already in the scheme, like flavoured milk, fruit and vegetable juice.

In NSW, it is expected more than 330 million additional beverage containers and glass bottles will be recycled each year once the change takes place.

Members of the community can find their nearest return point here.

Or can donate their eligible drink containers to a local charity, school or community group to help them fundraise.

NSW Minister for Environment Penny Sharpe said:

I know the South Coast, rightfully takes great pride in its beautiful environment and this communities uptake of Return and Earn has been fantastic.

“Katelin is a strong advocate for her preserving her coastal community and I know if given the chance on Saturday would be a vocal advocate inside the Government to ensure we are delivering every initiative we can to maintain Kiama’s beauty.

“Return and Earn is fantastic for the environment, great for our recycling industry and also puts money back in people’s pockets.

“Gerringong Lions Club have been at the forefront of this scheme, not just protecting the environment but giving back to their community – it is a testament to their club and its values.

NSW Labor Candidate for Kiama, Katelin McInerney:

This is such a fantastic scheme that protects the environment and supports our local community – it is a win win.

“I’m really proud to see how much our community has gotten around this initiative, because we understand we can’t take our regions beauty for granted.

“If I am given the chance I will be a voice inside the Minns Labor Government ensuring our environment continues to be protected so our children and grandchildren can enjoy the coastal environment that we have.

“Gerringong Lions Club continue to an exemplification of what I love about this community. The support they have given back to this community through this scheme is fantastic and I really thank and congratulate them.”

Lions Club of Gerringong President Ron Brett said:

The introduction of wine and spirit bottles to Return and Earn will provide the Lions Club of Gerringong an increased opportunity to fundraise for our local community.

"Through Return and Earn, we have recycled more than 1.7 million drinks containers through our machines at Michael Cronin oval, raising over $170,000.00 in the process! Every dollar raised goes directly into local community projects supporting sporting groups, schools and vulnerable members of our community and region.”