Figures released by Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead show that 7.2 million containers had been returned to the 'return and earn' machine at Club Taree, 5.6 million deposited to Wingham Services Club and 10.4 million units recycled at Stockland Forster.

Mr Bromhead said Return and Earn has now soared past three billion containers returned State-wide just a month after the second anniversary of the initiative.

"The growth of the scheme has been phenomenal and highlights a fundamental change in people's thinking and behaviour around litter," he said.

Mr Bromhead said the recent holiday period was particularly impressive for returned containers.

"State-wide between December 21, 2019 and January 13, 2020, there were 10 days with more than seven million drink containers returned a day, including four days with over eight million containers returned."

Until February 23, recyclers in NSW can donate to Bottles for the Bush, on all reverse vending machines with 10 cents from each container going towards helping farmers and rural families impacted by the drought and the recent bushfire devastation.

This option is part of a nation-wide appeal that has raised more than $430,000 so far with more than $360,000 coming through NSW's Return and Earn scheme.

Return and Earn includes around 640 return points across NSW including reverse vending machines, staffed automated depots and over the counter sites.

For more information about Return and Earn, visit the website.

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