Those days will be back as of July 1 next year with the NSW Government passing through parliament legislation allowing a 10-cent Container Deposit Scheme.

Community groups and individuals will be able to swap their cans and bottles for cash under the scheme. 

Speaking in Parliament on the subject, Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson said that by establishing an incentive for the return of empty drink containers, container deposit schemes may encourage consumers to hold on to containers and return them for a refund, or the value of the refund may provide an incentive for consumers to clean up beverage container litter.

“In either case, litter will be reduced,” Mr Hodgkinson said.

She said the Container Deposit Scheme fulfills a key election commitment to reduce litter in NSW by 40 per cent by 2020.

Under the scheme people in NSW will be able to return empty beverage containers between 150 ml and three litres to collection points for a refund.     

Those drinks containers that don't typically end up as litter, such as wine, milk and juice, won't be eligible for the scheme.