Dubbo Return and Earn

16/09/2026

Meet Dave Eslick and Lucy Walker, who have been collecting cans and bottles from around Wellington since June 2023, all to support a very special cause.

Their recycling efforts have now raised an incredible $27,000+, including $8,630 between August 2025 and August 2026.

The money raised is donated to the Starlight Children's Foundation, helping bring happiness, fun and positive experiences to seriously ill children in hospital. 💜

It’s amazing to see what can happen when a community gets behind a cause, one can and bottle at a time.

A huge thank you to Dave and Lucy for their ongoing dedication and for showing how Return and Earn can make a difference well beyond the depot. ♻️✨

01/09/2026

Meet James and Kelly Ellicott, who recently made the trip from Cobar — around 3.5 hours from Dubbo — to visit our Dubbo Return and Earn Depot.

They arrived with an impressive collection of more than 6,000 cans and bottles, turning their containers into cash to help fund renovations around their home. 🏡

It’s a great example of how returning your eligible containers can add up, helping the environment while putting a little extra money towards the things that matter.

Thanks for making the trip, James and Kelly, and for choosing to Return and Earn with us! ♻️🌱

29/07/2026

♻️Jason’s Journey: Recycling, Purpose & Community Impact

Meet Jason Richards, a valued member of our Return to Earn community. For the past 6 years, Jason has been recycling cans and bottles with us while attending the depot once a month with his disability group.

For Jason, recycling has been about more than just returning containers — it has helped him contribute towards his rent and groceries, giving him greater independence and a sense of pride in being able to support himself while doing something positive for the environment.

Inspired by his experiences at the depot, Jason recently approached us about joining the team. For the past 6 months, he has been working two shifts a week, with our team supporting him in the workplace and helping him thrive.

Jason says his time at work has had a positive impact on his mental wellbeing, and he loves coming in each week.

We’re proud to be part of Jason’s journey and celebrate the difference that recycling, inclusion, and community can make. 🌱

21/07/2026

For the past 7 years, this wonderful lady has been collecting eligible cans and bottles to make a difference.

Most of the funds she raises go towards supporting her grandchildren, but her generosity doesn't stop there. On one occasion, the money she collected helped a young local achieve his dream of travelling overseas to play soccer.

It's amazing how something as simple as recycling can make such a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Thank you for your dedication and kindness—you truly are making a difference in your community. ♻️💚

02/06/2026

Dubbo Return and Earn depot will be closed for the Kings Public Holiday.

Have a great long weekend and we look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 9th June 2026!

02/06/2026

Hi everyone!
Our Dubbo Return and Earn depot will be closed on Monday 8th June 2026 for the Kings Public Holiday.

We look forward to seeing you all again on Tuesday 9th June 2026.

Have a great long weekend!

31/03/2026

Dubbo Return and Earn will be closed Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

We will be open as usual on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 for you to return all your holiday cans and bottles.

Have a lovely Easter and we will see you soon.🐰🐣🍫

12/11/2025

29/10/2025

A group of men from St. Vincent de Paul, St. Brigid's Conference, in Dubbo, banded together to form a “Return and Earn” team to raise money to support homeless services in the Dubbo Region.

The team includes Paul (a retired Property Valuer), Mark (a retired Commissioner), and John (an IT Manager).

They use our automated drive-in Return and Earn depot in Dubbo and we supplied the livery for the 40 recycling bins, which were kindly donated J.R. Richards.

To date, they have recycled 18,200 units. As they say, small fish are sweet and they are gradually growing the operation.

They collect from offices, hotels, coffee shops, private homes, in fact anywhere there is a good volume of containers. They are even supplying collection bins for a forthcoming local wedding on private property.

The Touch Football Championships in Dubbo in February 2026 have agreed to take bins to support their efforts and they are working with Dubbo Regional Council on this event and hopefully others.

They've also teamed up with “Little Wings” and travel to Warren & Trangie each month to collect and recycle their containers with both charities sharing the refunds.

If you'd like to support their efforts and would like one of their bins, then drop us a message and we'll put you in touch

20/10/2025

At Cudgegong Valley Public School, students aren’t just learning about sustainability, they’re living it.

They visit our drive-in Return and Earn depot in Dubbo once a term to recycle all the containers they collect and it earns them about $300, which is reinvested into the school’s sustainability initiatives.

For the full story go to:
www.returnandearn.org.au/news/cudgegong-valley-students-leading-the-way-with-return-and-earn

We are always happy to help any organisation who wants to use Return and Earn through any of our automated depots to raise funds for themselves.