How Home Collection Drives Sustainability

With growing urbanisation and rising consumption, many communities are now finding creative ways to reduce waste sent to landfills. Sustainability has never been more critical, particularly in households.

According to reports, the majority of food waste in Australia comes from our homes. Australian households produce 2.5 million tonnes of food waste each year. That’s equivalent to more than 4kg per household per week.

Waste that goes to landfills is a major source of pollution, affecting our land, water, and air. While governments and industries work to improve recycling infrastructure, real change begins at home. Our everyday choices, such as sorting bottles, rinsing containers, and recycling them, can significantly reduce pressure on landfills.

Using home recycling bins is a great initiative that has a significant impact. And with City Return and Earn, homeowners can get incentivised for recycling.

Let’s explore how it works and why it matters.

Bags of Cans and Bottles

Home Recycling Collection With City Return and Earn

Recycling one’s cans and bottles must be convenient and rewarding for homeowners to be successful. At City Return & Earn, we’ve developed a seamless home collection recycling service that brings sustainability to your doorstep.

Here’s how it works:

1. Account Setup: Create an account with City Return and Earn to start the recycling from home process
2. Bin Request: Once your account is set up, you can start ordering your home recycling bin. Each bin delivered will have a one-time cost of $49, which will be deducted from your container refund until the bin is paid off.
3. Bin Filling: Place all empty eligible containers into the bins to be recycled
4. Schedule Collection and Bin Swap: When your bin is full, schedule a collection from your account. Alternatively, call or email us to schedule a collection. Our team will collect and swap your recycling bin with a fresh new one. There will be a $5 charge for each bin swap.
5. Earn Money: We will process and count the collected eligible containers, rewarding you with 10 cents for every eligible container. You can choose to receive this refund in your nominated bank account or donate to our charity.

These recycling bins will then be transferred to our Silverwater and Mascot depots, where they will be sorted and processed. Our team will then calculate how much you have recycled and refund you accordingly.

The home collection recycling initiative is specifically designed for busy households, older people, and individuals with disabilities who may struggle to establish good recycling habits at home. No more stockpiling cans in the garage or rushing to drop-off points. With City Return and Earn, recycling is right outside your front door.

Man wheeling bin in front of City Return and Earn Truck

Here are the key benefits of ordering recycling bins for your home from City Return and Earn:

• Recycling bins delivered to your home
• Flexible collection schedules tailored to a convenient time
• Contactless pickup (you don’t have to be home during collection)
• Earn 10 cents for every eligible container
• Contribute to a more sustainable environment

With this convenient service, we aim to make recycling part of your routine, not a chore.

What You Get for Giving Back

We partner with NSW’s Return and Earn scheme to offer a 10-cent refund for every eligible drink container recycled. Not only does this scheme provide monetary incentive, but it also encourages positive recycling habits that can go a long way.

With City Return & Earn, you can choose how your refunds are processed—either directly back to you or as a donation to the KARI Foundation, a charity that empowers local Indigenous individuals with employment opportunities and social impact initiatives.

Our collaboration with the KARI Foundation includes initiatives such as the ‘Back to School’ program, which supports education for Indigenous people. Each container recycled can help provide educational packs for children and allow them to access quality education.

By supporting this initiative, homeowners can turn their recycling into both personal savings and community support.

School kids with KARI Back to School Packs

Recycling Right: Making Every Bin Count

Recycling only works when it’s done correctly, as contamination from food waste or incorrect items can lead to entire bins being rejected. Here’s how you can ensure that your bottle and can recycling containers are accepted into our home recycling program and make every bin count.

• Understand what can be recycled: This includes most drink bottles, cans, and cartons between 150ml and 3 litres. Please see our FAQS or contact customer service for a detailed list of eligible containers.
• Clean your containers: Give bottles and cans a quick rinse before disposing them in our recycling bin.
• Secure your bin: Keep the bin close to your house or inside your yard to prevent it from being lost or stolen.
• Collection day: You do not need to be home during pickup. Instead, place your bins somewhere easily accessible for collection

Ask for help: Our team is always here to assist you with setting up your account or addressing any questions you may have. Simply contact our friendly staff for assistance.

Eligible and Ineligible Containers

Tracking Your Impact

Want to know how much you have earned from your recycling? Simply download the Vwork app or request a receipt from our team. The Vwork app also allows you to:

• Sign up for a City Return and Earn account
• Book a new recycling bin
• Request a bin swap at your home
• Track your driver
• See how much money you’ve earned from recycling
• See a monthly report on how much you’ve recycled and your impact

Smiley Bin

Sustainability Starts at Home - And Spreads Everywhere

The foundation of a greener world begins in our homes. Every can rinsed, every bottle sorted, and every collection scheduled contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future. By ordering a recycling bin for your home, you can make a big difference in our environment and communities.

City Return and Earn comprehensive recycling services allow residents and businesses to reduce their environmental footprint, earn through recycling, and adopt good waste management habits that inspire students and parents to take action.

Learn more about our home recycling service and how you can make a difference.

Contact Us