Progress made on state’s Recycle Rewards

Tasmania’s Recycle Rewards container refund scheme is one step closer with an exciting milestone achieved today ahead of the scheme’s commencement mid-next year.

Minister for Parks and Environment, Nick Duigan, congratulated TasRecycle Limited,  announced as Scheme Coordinator, and TOMRA Cleanaway Tasmania, named as Network Operator.

“Once Recycle Rewards starts, people will receive a 10c refund for any eligible beverage container returned to a designated container refund point in Tasmania,” Minister Duigan said.

“The Tasmanian Government’s model for the Scheme is a split responsibility involving a Scheme Coordinator to administer it, and a Network Operator to operate the network. There will be 49 container refund points available state-wide, making Recycle Rewards accessible for all Tasmanians.

“Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future will ensure Tasmania remains the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family, and keeping our famed landscapes free of litter is part of that.

“With beverage containers making up to 45 per cent of Tasmania’s litter it is estimated Recycle Rewards will reduce this by almost 50 per cent, and double recycling rates of eligible containers, reducing waste going into landfill and sustaining the environment for future generations.”

Chair of TasRecycle Limited Ben Kearney welcomed TasRecycle’s appointment as Scheme Coordinator.

“We look forward to supporting Tasmania’s environmental goals and the local community organisations, households and businesses who will benefit from the introduction of a successful container refund scheme,” Mr Kearney said.

CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway James Dorney said it is exciting that Tasmania will soon be the final piece of the container refund scheme puzzle in Australia, with all states and territories legislating extended producer responsibility for single-use drink containers.  

“We are extremely proud to be playing such a large part in this important shift towards a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future and we are looking forward to helping deliver an exceptional outcome for the people of Tasmania,” Mr Dorney said. 

With these roles now filled, mobilisation of Recycle Rewards is currently underway, including the deployment of a network of refund points and automated depots for logistics.

TasRecycle is a not-for-profit entity that was formed by Lion Pty Ltd, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Asahi Beverages to bid to become the Scheme Co-ordinator for the Tasmanian Container Refund Scheme. The partners have extensive experience in managing container refund schemes across Australia, with one or more of the companies involved in every Australian jurisdiction with a container refund scheme. 

More information is available on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/environment/recycle-rewards