The company managing the scheme reports that 84% of the population has used one of the reverse vending machines available.


According to Re-Turn, 20% of users choose to receive cash for their returns, while most opt for in-store vouchers. The number of reverse vending machines has grown from 1,800 at the scheme’s start to over 2,500 across the country.

Public support for the initiative has increased over the past six months. In February, two million containers were returned during the entire month. This number has surged to an average of 3.2 million returns per day in July, totalling over 102 million for the month.


A majority of consumers, 59%, return their empty containers when they have a full bag or box at home, while 36% do so during their regular grocery shopping trips. Once issued a voucher, 62% of people use it immediately for grocery purchases.