Since the scheme began on December 1 last year, more than 1.3 million containers have been returned at the Gunnedah site, and more than 162 million containers have been returned across the state.

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) acting chair and CEO Anissa Levy said the amount of containers returned in the first four months of the scheme was pleasing. 

“More than 150 million containers returned in the first three months is a great result,” Ms Levy said.

“And we expect this momentum to continue as more collection points are rolled out and people get into the habit of exchanging their containers.”

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson was also pleased with the scheme’s early success.

“We always knew it would be a community success,” Mr Anderson said.

“We have been overwhelmed by the demand for sites and that’s the beauty of Gunnedah there are several sites with over-the-counter return facilities.”

Mr Anderson said he will continue to push for more over-the-counter and reversible vending machines throughout the electorate.

“I am happy to encourage local businesses looking to get involved with over-the-counter returns to contact the schemes partner Tomra-Cleanaway,” he said.

“As well as that, I will continue to push for more return and earn sites across the Tamworth electorate depending on demand.”

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Ms Levy said new return and earn sites will continue to be rolled out across the state.

“There are now more than 500 collection points across NSW including reverse vending machines, over-the-counter sites and automated depots for large returns, with more being rolled out each week,” she said.

“The most recent additions include sites at Leura, Dee Why, Byron Bay, Kurri Kurri, Young, North Sydney, Muswellbrook and Stanmore.”

The CEO encouraged the community to continue to use the return and earn sites responsibly.

“We encourage everyone to keep the area clean so please take away any bags or boxes used to transport containers as well as ineligible containers not accepted for the refund which should be placed in kerbside recycling,” Ms Levy said.

“Sundays are the busiest day so where possible people should try to return their containers during the week.”

The three Tamworth return and earn sites have also performed well since the schemes introduction.

The Carter Street site in West Tamworth is currently leading the sites with more than 677,000 containers collected, while the East Oxley Bowling Club and Tamworth Softball field sites have collected more than 420,000 and 365,000 containers respectively. 

Locals can claim a 10 cent refund for eligible containers via a Paypal account, Woolworths shopping vouchers or donations to local charities such as St Vincent de Paul Society.