Sydney uses recycling vending machines

Sydney's local council is giving residents the chance to pay for the bus with rubbish.

Two "reverse vending machines", which allow people to deposit empty cans and plastic bottles for a reward, have been in place since Thursday.

The machines offer rewards that include entry into competitions and free city bus tickets and are expected to be in place for the next twelve months.

The machines, at Circular Quay and Haymarket, have collected more than 9000 items so far.

City of Sydney Council director Garry Harding says billions of cans and bottles end up on the streets or in landfill and something needs to be done about it.

"We want to reduce litter, protect the environment and provide education and a bit of fun for the people," Mr Harding told AAP.