Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia has installed a new Return and Earn reverse vending machine (RVM) at its Northmead production site in Western Sydney, expanding access to container recycling.
Northmead is the second consumer accessible machine located at a CCEP production site, following the launch at Moorabbin, Victoria, in November 2025. The Moorabbin machine collected more than 144,000 beverage containers as of February 2026, reflecting community uptake of accessible return points.
The installation supports the company’s approach to extended producer responsibility and aims to improve convenience for consumers.
CCEP has worked with governments, industry and communities on container deposit schemes across Australia for several decades.
“Access and convenience are essential to a successful circular economy, and installing public return points at our own sites is a practical example of that commitment in action. It’s a logical extension of extended producer responsibility: supporting recycling rates without increasing the cost of each grocery shop,” said Orlando Rodriguez, managing director for Australia at CCEP.
“For more than 50 years, Coca-Cola has been proudly made in Northmead – and now, with this Return and Earn machine, our containers can be made here and returned here, supporting local recycling and ensuring consumers can claim back their deposits.”
The machine is open daily providing an authorised return point for eligible containers and a 10 cent refund.
The Northmead installation adds to CCEP’s network of return points, with further machines planned at manufacturing sites.
“Our Moorabbin site has shown strong community interest in additional return points, and that’s encouraged us to keep building on this momentum. Rolling out more RVMs across our major sites is the next step in strengthening community access and delivering on our long-term producer responsibility commitments,” said Rodriguez.
The project was delivered in partnership with Return and Earn, an initiative of the NSW Government.
“Return and Earn is a successful product stewardship scheme funded by the beverage industry. It’s great to see beverage suppliers like Coca-Cola Europacific Partners supporting the community’s participation by hosting a machine onsite,” said Danielle Smalley, chief executive officer of Exchange for Change.
“Container Deposit Schemes are one of Australia’s most effective circular economy success stories. What makes them work is accessibility and shared responsibility. By investing in return points like Northmead, CCEP is demonstrating how extended producer responsibility can strengthen environmental impacts,” said Geoff Parker, chief executive officer of the Australian Beverages Council Limited.
“We encourage shopping centres, transport hubs, government buildings and other community locations to join industry in making it easier for Australians to return their containers. The more accessible we make return points, the stronger recycling outcomes will be.”
CCEP said the rollout supports its broader packaging and recycling efforts, including its involvement in PET recycling initiatives in Victoria and New South Wales.