What our boys do for a little extra cash!

Return and Earn

The New South Wales (NSW) government has a return and earn program. By returning eligible containers the boys earn 10 cents per container….TAX FREE!

The process is detailed on the return and earn website.

How it Started

We became aware of the program in 2018 when Oscar was 6 years old.
I love Coke and we now had a reason to keep the empty cans 😎

We would frequent these types of machines monthly. We would fed our items (one by one) into the machines. Oscar loved doing this, to be honest so did I. It’s one of those oddly satisfying things to do.

We (I mean Oscar) would get around $5 - 10 dollars every month (it was paid into Rachel’s paypal account).

Frustration

The program became a hit and popular side hustle. People returning a few bags was replaced with people returning a serious amount!!

Because bulk machine deposits were not available, waiting in line for 10-15 minutes became normal. People would grow impatient behind us as Oscar (a 6 year old) had fun taking his time. We tried to go early in the weekends to avoid queues with varying success.

Sydneysiders are not renown for their patience.

This continued for years. My youngest both became aware of this activity and would tag along.

Lane Cove Return and Earn

As time went on some machines no longer provided the option for a paypal payout. The machines would print out Woolies vouchers. We preferred the cash deposit!

I stumbled across this place a few years ago. Lane Cove Return and Earn

They had bulk processing machines that automatically tallied up our items. They also paid out in real cash! The staff were great too, they were friendly and helpful. (We’ve been going for years now and the staff are consistently great).

I recall Oscar beaming from ear to ear holding the cash on the way home. Our first cash in hand payout.

Upping our Collection Game

At the time we lived in Greenwich and the boys had a sweet hustle going! A group of young boys moved into a share house next door. They threw parties (lots of them) and struggled to fit their empties into their recycling bins.

The boys eyes lit up (so did mine) seeing all the empties! My boys asked to have their weekly recycling which the neigbours were more than happy with. I went to Bunnings to buy large storage containers.

The lady across the street noticed the boy’s hustle. She kept her recycling at the front gate for the boys to collect weekly. Her adult boys drank a bit too!

The boys were now earning $40 - $60 each trip to the recycling centre. Oscar was not impressed when the money was split with his siblings.

But then we moved and the boy’s easy money dried up 😂

To increase our collection count Theo (8) and sometimes Elliot (6) come “bin diving” with me. We walk the neighbourhood and collect eligible recycling from yellow bins on bin night. Theo and I sometimes walk around public parks “bin diving” despite getting odd looks from people 😆

Oscar (now 12) is too cool to come “bin diving” but still demands his share of the money!

We invested in one of these bad boys so we don’t have to physically dive into a bin. The boys love fishing out cans with this thing!

Our Process

Once our bins are full Theo and I packup the car for the trek to the recycling centre. I’m exaggerating it’s about a 10 minute drive.

On the way we discuss potential earnings. We lock in our estimates for bragging rights on the way home.

On arrival we take the containers from the car to the waiting area. The staff indicate when you can put your “stuff” on the counters. They do this to ensure they don’t mix up people’s items.

When the machines are free they empty your containers into the machines. It can get noisy, if your kids are sensitive to loud noises bring ear muffs!

When the machines are done the staff head over to the register to cash you out. Theo is about to get the dollars below!!

We load up our empty containers into the car and set off home. Today (18/01/2025) we managed to cross the $60 mark (605 items in total). Theo won today, he said $61-63 and I said $63-$65.

When we get home Theo runs inside to announce the “earnings report” to his brothers and mum. I usually empty the car and clean the bins by myself 😂

Conclusion

The return and earn program is fantastic, easy money and tax free.
The program encourages the boys to hustle a little bit for money. Tonight Elliot found 2 cans on the way home from Coles. Easy 20 cents to add to the collection.

Beyond the money I love time shared with the boys. The younger ones will grow out of it and I’m ok with that. I won’t be lone “bin diving” but will do the recycling trips, it’s free money.

What do I truly want out of this whole experience? Easy, when the boys are adults I hope they have fond memories of getting “can” money with Dad.