Introduction: A simple idea with big potential
In New South Wales, the Return and Earn scheme has already recycled a remarkable 66% of eligible containers. Yet a stubborn gap persists: the so-called ‘out-of-home’ waste, where drink containers end up in general rubbish bins because convenient recycling options aren’t always available. Exchange for Change, working with the NSW Environment Protection Authority and TOMRA Cleanaway, is pursuing a straightforward, effective tactic to close this gap: the bin basket.
The Bin Basket concept: A visible, convenient collection point
During a pilot in the Sutherland Shire and Eurobodalla Shire Councils, 130 clearly branded wire baskets were installed on the sides of public waste bins. The aim was simple: place a dedicated, easily accessible receptacle for drink containers exactly where people discard them. The movement is not about replacing traditional recycling streams but about meeting people where they are and nudging behavior toward the correct disposal at the moment of decision.
How it works in practice
The baskets are designed to stand out without resembling a conventional bin, encouraging people to separate containers for the 10-cent deposit while leaving other waste in the main bin. Any member of the public can retrieve containers and claim their refund, turning a routine waste moment into a small civic act.
Compelling results from the pilot
Data from Eurobodalla Shire showed an 80% reduction in drink containers found in public litter bins, while Sutherland Shire recorded a 50% reduction. These figures demonstrate that a targeted, high-visibility solution can reclaim a substantial volume of recyclable material previously lost to landfill. Beyond raw numbers, the baskets offer a clean, convenient, and highly visible mechanism for waste separation, reinforcing easy, everyday recycling habits.
Why this approach works: psychology and practicality
Chief Executive Danielle Smalley of Exchange for Change emphasizes convenience as the key driver of behavior change. “People want to do the right thing, and if you make it easy for them, they will get involved.” The bin baskets create a constant, conspicuous prompt at the exact point of need, turning disposal choices into a quick, almost reflexive action.
Broader impact: more than just litter reduction
For participating councils, the baskets can improve waste-management efficiency and potentially lower disposal costs by diverting containers from red-lidded general waste streams. The program also opens new fundraising avenues for local groups, charities, and community events adopting the baskets for drives or awareness campaigns—described by Smalley as a “new cake stall” for good causes.
Looking ahead: expanding the program and ongoing challenges
NSW’s bin basket pilot marks a first-in-region, with rigorous pre- and post-audits providing solid data to guide expansion. The goal is to scale across more councils while tackling other out-of-home environments such as office buildings, hospitals, and multi-unit dwellings. Reaching the final one-third of containers will require a multi-faceted strategy that blends visible collection points with continued public engagement and complementary system improvements.
Conclusion: A pathway toward a fuller circular economy
With four out of five adults in NSW already engaging with Return and Earn, a low-friction tool like bin baskets strengthens the social contract of recycling. It keeps the circular economy moving by recovering materials, conserving resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If the pattern holds, the simple basket could become a staple of Australia’s recycling landscape, nudging the final third of containers into the system and delivering meaningful environmental and community benefits.
