Data from the Environment Protection Authority shows Parkes residents have recycled more than 17,800,000 items through Return and Earn machines in the past three years.

Parkes man Wally Norman is among those residents who's been recycling his bottles and cans since it began in town.

He said it gives him a bit of spare change, plus it's a great way to get his daughters involved.

"Sometimes the girls come with me to help and I'd halve the money we get back and give it to them - so if we collected $40, I'd give them $20 each," he said.

The Forbes region has contributed more than 10,300,000 items, Young recycled more than 18,700,000 and Cowra reached more than 15,400,000.

Return and Earn celebrated its third birthday in December.

An EPA spokesperson said the scheme has created a community-wide shift in attitude towards recycling.

"Return and Earn continues to be an outstanding success across NSW," the spokesperson said.

"More than 4.8 billion containers returned for recycling through the scheme's state-wide network since it commenced three years ago, with the latest research finding three out of four NSW adults have participated in the scheme.

"The scheme has fundamentally changed people's thinking and behaviour around litter with more than 40 million containers on average returned per week through the network of more than 600 return points across NSW."

Return and Earn is becoming an increasingly important fundraising avenue for charities and community groups.

More than $15.5 million has been returned to not-for-profits and community groups through donations and fees from hosting return points since the scheme commenced.

Local charities who have benefited from the scheme as donation partners at local return points, giving participants the option of donating some or all of their refund to them, include Parkes Dragon Boat Club, Ronald McDonald House Orange and Young Hospital Auxiliary.

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