Jet Jones is just one of many of the region's residents proving you can turn trash into treasure.
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The 11-year-old Tamworth boy has been collecting recyclables for around two years now, and reckons it's a great way to not only help the environment, but also put extra cash in the pocket.
And he's not alone. A yearly report shows Tamworth residents have recycled over 59,000,000 items through Return and Earn machines in the past three years.
Overall, Jet estimates he's managed to collect around $400 this year, with $200 of that going towards purchasing a brand new scooter for himself.
"One of my mum's friend's sons was doing it, and I thought it was a good idea so I started doing it too," Jet explained.
"I'm now saving up for a game, one that catches my eye."
Standing next to his three cartons of cans and bottles, it's clear the Christmas festivities will add an extra boost to his growing fund.
Tamworth has recycled 59,964,008 items in total, edging out the larger Wagga Wagga region by just over 45,588.
The Armidale region recycled over 25,000,000, with Inverell almost reaching 18,000,00, missing out by the skin of their teeth.
Gunnedah followed along, recycling around 15,700,000 items.
Return and Earn celebrated its third birthday this December, with the leaders of the scheme noticing a community-wide shift in the attitudes towards recycling drink containers and other waste.
CEO of Exchange for Change Danielle Smalley praised the contribution of local councils like Tamworth, attributing the success of the scheme to their continued support.
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Overall, around 75 per cent of NSW residents have participated, and two out of every three drink containers supplied into the state in the last 12 months have been recycled.
James Dorney, CEO of NSW network operator TOMRA Cleanaway, said the benefits of the scheme to our community are clear.
"4.6 billion containers now have a new life as a valuable resource, [there is] less litter in our parks and waterways, and $460 million in refunds back into the hands of the community helping bolster local business and charities," Mr Dorney said.
"The strength of partnerships with local governments and the Return and Earn scheme is evidenced through the number of return points hosted across the state by councils which is increasing each year".