Recycle Rewards

​Background

Container refund schemes incentivise the return of used beverage containers in exchange for a refund. The collected containers must then be recycled to ensure materials have future use. These schemes are an example of ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (often referred to as ‘polluter pays’) and are proven to both reduce public littering and improve recycling outcomes.

Tasmania’s container refund scheme will be called Recycle Rewards, and it’s two objectives – to reduce litter and increase recycling – will support the development of our circular economy. 

Beverage containers make up 45 per cent of Tasmania’s litter. It is estimated that Recycle Rewards will reduce this by almost 50 per cent, as well as double recycling rates of eligible beverage containers.

Read the Explanatory Paper or watch the video below to see how the scheme will work.​

 



Start Date

We can’t wait to let you all know when Recycle Rewards will start, however, there are a few things we need to finalise before this happens. Many details about the scheme, including the commencement date, will be announced once the governing bodies have been selected and contracts are finalised. To ensure this important scheme is accessible, affordable and maximises the return of eligible containers for recycling, we need to ensure its framework is as robust as possible. 

We acknowledge that the scheme will commence later than previously anticipated but it is important that we get it right, please know that we are working hard to make Recycle Rewards a reality for Tasmanians as soon as possible. We appreciate the patience of the Tasmanian community throughout this time. ​​

​Legal Framework​

​The Container Refund Scheme Bill 2021 has passed through Parliament, supporting the Government’s vision of reducing litter and increasing recycling. The Bill passed the House of Assembly on 10 November 2021, and passed the Legislative Council unamended on 10 March 2022. 

The Container Refund Scheme Act 2022 can be viewed here: Tasmanian Legislation.

The draft Container Refund Scheme Regulations 2023 were released for public consultation on 3 May 2023, outlining key operational details stemming from the Container Refund Scheme Act 2022. The draft Container Refund Scheme Regulations 2023 are accessible here. The public feedback period has closed, and submissions will be published shortly.

​Stay Up to Date

You can stay informed on Tasma​​nia's Recycle Rewards by signing up for our quarterly Waste Initiatives newsletter - Register Now​

​Previous Studies

In recent years several studies have been conducted to assess how such a scheme could work in Tasmania.

2018 - A Model Framework for a Container Refund Scheme in Tasmania​​

 A Model Framework for a Container Refund Scheme in Tasmania (PDF 5Mb)

​2014 - Cost benefit analysis for a Tasmanian Container Deposit System​

 Cost Benefit Study of a Tasmanian Container Deposit System - Final Report (PDF 1Mb)

​2009 - Feasibility Study for Container Deposit System​

 Feasibility Study of a Container Deposit System for Tasmania (PDF 1Mb)

Further Information

​For further information, please visit our Recycle Rewards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page​. You may also contact us via the details below.​



Recycle Rewards Base asset -  a wave of bottles like water 

Contact

Container Refund Scheme

Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
134 Macquarie Street,
Hobart, TAS, 7000.