Recycle Rewards is Tasmania’s container refund scheme.
Recycle Rewards is a Tasmanian Government initiative funded by contributions from the beverage industry. It offers a 10 cent refund to consumers for returning eligible drink containers at refund points across Tasmania.
The scheme aims to reduce Tasmania’s litter of drink containers by up to half, create new economic opportunities, generate new jobs and turn eligible drink containers into new recycled products.
When does Recycle Rewards launch?
Recycle Rewards launched 1 May 2025.
Why did the commencement date for Recycle Rewards take so long when it was originally meant to start in 2022?
The procurement for the Scheme Coordinator and Network Operator was complex and was conducted in accordance with Tasmanian Government procurement and probity requirements to ensure the best possible outcomes for the scheme and Tasmanian community.
During mobilisation, TasRecycle established the systems that support the scheme and TOMRA Cleanaway secured sites and deployed refund point assets.
How does Recycle Rewards work?
Tasmanians are encouraged to collect eligible drink containers and take them to one of the refund points around Tasmania to receive a 10 cent refund per container. This refund may be received in the form of a voucher to be exchanged for cash at a participating retailer; a deposit into your chosen account, such as your bank or PayPal; cash (at depots); or donated to a Donation Partner.
Is there a maximum number of drink containers that I can return?
No, but please note that if you are returning more than 1,500 eligible drink containers at a single time you will need to show ID and complete a simple refund declaration.
Who is responsible for operating Recycle Rewards?
Recycle Rewards is run by a Scheme Coordinator and a Network Operator, as a split responsibility model which was the chosen model by the Tasmanian Government.
TasRecycle has been appointed as Scheme Coordinator and will:
- Manage the financial and administrative aspects of the scheme
- Conduct audits of the scheme to prevent potential fraud
- Pay refund amounts and collection network costs to the Network Operator
- Report against performance targets set by the government
- Manage marketing and communications for Recycle Rewards, driving awareness and education across Tasmania.
TOMRA Cleanaway has been appointed as Network Operator and they will:
- Establish and maintain a network of refund points
- Distribute refund amounts to consumers
- Distribute payments to refund point operators.
What role does NRE Tas have in Recycle Rewards?
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s role is regulatory and provides general oversight of the scheme, which includes contract management and policy setting for the scheme.
Who will benefit from Recycle Rewards?
All Tasmanians will benefit from Recycle Rewards as it will increase recycling and decrease litter, create new jobs and economic opportunities for Tasmania.
There will also be opportunities for charities, community and sports groups to get involved with fundraising by collecting containers, registering to receive donations of refunds from others, initiating a collection drive or setting up a donation point for the public to donate their drink containers.
Why should I return my containers?
Participating in Recycle Rewards is the rewarding way to recycle your drink containers. It is a great way to help keep our environment and waterways litter-free, while receiving a 10 cent refund for every eligible container you return to a refund point. Once returned, your drink containers become a valuable material for recycling.
What do my recycled drink containers become?
Collected eligible drink containers will be sorted into clean material streams and sold to recyclers in Australia and sometimes overseas where local options are not viable. Containers returned in Tasmania will be made into new products including new drink containers.
The process reduces waste sent to landfill, minimises litter and decreases demand for new raw materials.
How is Recycle Rewards funded?
Recycle Rewards is an example of ‘extended producer responsibility’, which means beverage companies pay for the 10 cent refund and operating costs, supporting the Tasmanian Government to ensure Recycle Rewards is convenient and accessible.
Beverage suppliers play a part in helping to improve recycling rates and reduce the number of drink containers that end up in landfill.
TasRecycle - which is responsible for managing the marketing, the financial operations, and ensuring the smooth operation of the scheme - is run on a not-for-profit basis.
How many jobs will be created in Tasmania for Recycle Rewards?
Recycle Rewards is expected to create over 50 jobs by TasRecycle and TOMRA Cleanaway, with additional indirect jobs also emerging across related sectors.
The recycling industry contributes billions of dollars to the Australian economy. In other states, container refund schemes have generated hundreds of sustainable jobs.
What public consultation/stakeholder engagement has occurred prior to the implementation of Recycle Rewards?
In early 2022, the Container Refund Scheme Act 2022 was passed to reduce litter and boost recycling. Draft Regulations to support the Act were released for public comment in 2023, which received thirty-five submissions with most supportive of the scheme.
In 2021, a five-week public consultation occurred for the draft Container Refund Scheme Bill 2021. Over 3,500 people participated through formal submissions or an online survey with 98% supporting the scheme.
Will I have to pay more for drinks which are eligible under Recycle Rewards?
The costs of Recycle Rewards are paid by beverage suppliers. Suppliers decide what proportion of costs, if any, are passed on to consumers. Independent reviews in other states have found no injustified increase of drink prices during the first year of implementation of the container refund scheme.
What is the direct impact to local Tasmanian small beverage companies due to Recycle Rewards?
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania has been working with small beverage companies to reduce impacts of Recycle Rewards. Under ‘producer responsibility’ the beverage industry pays for the scheme, including refunds.
Because the Tasmanian Government recognises the importance of small businesses in the beverage industry, for the first time nationally a Cost-Free Threshold has been introduced. This means in Tasmania, most beverage companies will not pay for their first 20,000 beverage sales each year.
This cost-free threshold aims to help small business companies continue to thrive.
Tasmania has more than 90 small beverage companies. It is estimated that about 40% Tasmania’s small beverage companies will not have to pay into the scheme.
How will Tasmania's beverage industry be supported?
Tasmania's small beverage industry has a key role to play in the success of Recycle Rewards. We know that sustainability, Tasmania's clean brand, and a reputation for premium produce are important to our beverage industry's future.
The Tasmanian Government has been working with small beverage companies to reduce the regulatory impact of the scheme, while ensuring they are part of Recycle Rewards and part of our drive to reduce litter and increase recycling.
Tasmania has more than 90 small beverage companies operating across the state, and their contribution to the economy, tourism and employment is highly valued.
The Tasmanian Government has been working with the industry to ensure it can continue to thrive by implementing the following;
Under 'producer responsibility' the beverage industry pays for the scheme, including refunds. However, in Tasmania beverage companies will not pay for their first 20,000 beverage sales each year. This 'cost-free threshold' aims to help small beverage companies grow and thrive. It means 40 of our small beverage companies will not have to pay into the scheme. It means less administrative work and fewer invoices. Customers will still receive a refund for these drink containers.
Only drinks sold in containers are included. Kegs and refillable bottles ('growlers') are exempt.
There will be a transition period of 18 months from 1 May 2025 for beverage producers to update their drink container labelling if needed. (Containers are required to carry a barcode and a refund message).
A grants program is now available to provide small Tasmanian beverage producers with assistance for costs associated with container approvals, obtaining barcodes, and container label updating and printing.
Invoicing will be in arrears, which is what the beverage industry asked for. It will NOT be based on sales forecasts.
Small Tasmanian beverage companies will have the option of being invoiced monthly or annually, whichever suits them.
What are the obligations for scheme participants?
Following Recycle Rewards’ successful commencement on 1 May 2025, now is a good time to remind scheme participants about support available for, and obligations under, Tasmania’s Container Refund Scheme:
- Until 30 June 2025 there are $1,000 grants available to assist small beverage producers with the transition to scheme-compliant labelling and refund markings. Apply here.
- There are penalties for not displaying special barcodes and 10c refund marks on eligible containers. This won’t be enforced until 1 November 2026. However, beverage producers are encouraged to transition ASAP to compliant barcodes and 10c refund marks as this may help prevent frustration for their retail and wholesale purchasers.
- There are other penalties which do apply now. Examples include:
- Supplying an eligible container known not to be approved / registered (In 2025, suppliers who have applied and whose container registration is pending won’t be penalised for supplying that container during processing)
- First Responsible Supplier not entering into a supply agreement
- Material Recovery Facility Operators claiming refund amounts prematurely
Small Producer Assistance Grants
What is the grant amount?
The grant scheme is operated by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) using funds provided by the Tasmanian State Government. The total amount of funds available for allocation under this grant scheme is $80,000.
The maximum total grant amount that a business can receive is $1,000 (excluding GST).
What does the grant cover?
You can apply for funding for one or more of the following items and activities:
Administrative costs associated with container approvals.
Costs for obtaining barcodes for eligible containers (excluding GST).
Costs for designing labels that display a barcode and/or the refund marking on eligible containers (excluding GST).
Costs for printing labels (including direct to can printing) that display a barcode and/or the refund marking on eligible containers (excluding GST).
Items and activities with valid tax invoices dated from 1 September 2024 are eligible for the grant.
Am I eligible to apply for the grant?
You can apply for this grant if you meet all of the following criteria:
You have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) that was registered before 1 September 2024.
Your business is registered in Tasmania.
Your business has produced up to a maximum of 250,000 litres of beverages in total in the last Financial Year (2023-2024).
How do I apply?
Please refer to the NRE Tas website to complete an online SmartyGrants application.
The grant process has two stages.
Stage 1: You submit the application form, and if you meet the eligibility criteria your grant is pre-approved. You may do this before OR after completing any of the activities you are applying for.
Stage 2: You submit the acquittal form, including evidence of activities and expenditure, and following a successful assessment the approved grant funding is paid into your nominated bank account.
When does the grant close?
Applications for grants close on 30 June 2025 at 11:55pm, or when available funds are expended.
When will I find out if I was successful?
Applicants will be notified of the outcome within 30 business days after submitting a completed application.
Refund Points
What is a refund point?
A refund point is a collection place where you can return your eligible drink containers and receive a 10 cent refund for each drink container.
Refund points include Reverse Vending Machines, Depots and seasonal Over the Counter sites to support the refund network as needed.
How many refund points are there across Tasmania and where will they be located?
There will be a phased roll-out of a network of 49 refund points established across the state, including on King and Flinders Islands.
This means that about 85% of Tasmanians will be able to access a refund point within 10km of their home.
Integral to the design of the scheme is the aim to provide all Tasmanians with opportunities to participate in the scheme and get a refund for their drink containers. Previous market research found that the public wants refund points to be located near their regular retailers, to easily incorporate into their already established routines. This research has informed where refund points will be located.
Community Access Standards have been developed by NRE Tas to establish the minimum requirements for the fair and equitable distribution of the network of refund points across Tasmania. These requirements were designed to specifically respond to the dispersed and regional nature of the Tasmanian population. They ensure that the scheme remains commercially viable, particularly during the early years of introduction.
The Standards include the provision for ‘pop up’ refund points for popular holiday/tourism areas in peak season, and for charity and community organisations to set up donation points for the collection of drink containers as part of fundraising activities.
The Network Operator’s selection of the locations for refund points is multifaceted, and the proposed locations balance the anticipated quantity of recycled drink containers that are expected to be generated and the capacity of the Network Operator to service each location.
The Network Operator will monitor the performance of the network and find opportunities to deploy additional refund points across the state.
You can search for your closest refund point at RecycleRewards.com.au or via the Recycle Rewards app.
Who selects the location of the Recycle Rewards refund points? How can I request a refund point near me?
TOMRA Cleanaway (the Network Operator) is responsible for the placement of refund points and is working in collaboration with local communities, businesses and other organisations to choose the best placement of sites. Refund points are situated with consumer convenience and accessibility in mind.
The network will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure it maintains a high level of accessibility.
How do I find my closest refund point?
You can find your closest refund point at RecycleRewards.com.au or via the Recycle Rewards app. More refund points are being installed over the coming months.
What are the different types of refund points?
Reverse Vending Machine (RVMs) are conveniently located self-service refund points. You can find these near supermarkets and in public spaces across Tasmania. The machines can accept up to 60 drink containers a minute. The majority of refund points in Tasmania are RVMs.
Depots are staffed centres that are able to sort and count bulk loads of containers. You can walk through or drive through to get your drink containers counted and get your immediate cash or electronic refund.
Seasonal Over the Counter (OTC) refund points will be located at shops in your community. We expect there will only be a very small number of OTCs in Tasmania operating seasonally, used to support the refund network as needed. Once you hand over your eligible drink containers, the staff will count them for you and provide a refund.
What is an RVM?
An RVM is a 'reverse vending machine' that is a conveniently located self-service refund point. RVMs do not hold cash. You place an empty, eligible drink container into the RVM, the drink container is scanned to verify it is eligible and then you either:
Receive a paper or e-voucher which can be spent instore or be exchanged for cash at a participating retailer
Receive a deposit into your chosen account, such as your bank or PayPal, or
Donate your refund to a registered charity, school, sports club or community group.
Do the refund points have disability access?
The Network Operator must ensure that each refund point, including each reverse vending machine, the area in which it is located, and the digital content provided at refund points is accessible to persons with a disability.
Each refund point will be compliant with:
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas)
Disability (Access to premises -buildings) standards 2010 (premises standards)
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) Level AA
Is there a way to find out if an RVM is open or closed/full before I go?
You will be able to search on the
Recycle Rewards website or app for the RVM you are interested in visiting and see information on its current status.
Who is responsible for ensuring refund points are clean and accessible?
TOMRA Cleanaway (the Network Operator) is responsible for ensuring that refund points are clean and accessible. Refund points are regularly serviced across the state but you can also contact TOMRA Cleanaway directly to report an issue with a refund point.
Who do I contact if the refund point requires attention or cleaning?
TOMRA Cleanaway (the Network Operator) is responsible for ensuring that refund points are clean and accessible. Refund points are regularly serviced across the state but you can also contact TOMRA Cleanaway directly to report an issue with a refund point.
You can contact TOMRA Cleanaway on 1800 237 827.
Refunds
How can I get a refund?
To be able to redeem an eligible drink container, the drink container should be empty, uncrushed, unbroken and with the original label intact. Eligible drink containers need to be returned to a refund point to get the refund.
What refund options are available at an RVM?
When you use an RVM to return your drink containers you have three options to receive your refund:
- Receive a cash voucher which can be spent instore or be exchanged for cash at a participating retailer
- Receive a deposit into your chosen account, such as your bank or PayPal, or
- Donate your refund to a charity, school, sports club or community group
Where can I redeem my voucher?
Cash vouchers can be redeemed for cash at the retail partner listed on the voucher. Retail partners vary at different machines, so you need to check your voucher to know where to redeem.
Do RVM vouchers expire?
RVM vouchers are valid for three years.
Drink Container Eligibility
What drink containers are included in Recycle Rewards?
Most 150ml to 3L drink containers are eligible for a 10 cent refund, as long as they’re in good condition (uncrushed, empty and with the barcode intact). This includes;
- Aluminium cans
- Plastic bottles
- Glass bottles
- Cartons (under 1L)
- Steel bottles/cans
Look for the 10c refund mark as a general guide.
What drink containers are NOT included in Recycle Rewards?
These items aren’t accepted but can still go into household recycling. They’re often used at home.
- Plain milk containers
- Flavoured milk containers (1L and over)
- Glass wine bottles
- Glass spirit bottles
- Cordial bottles
- Juice containers (1L and over)
- Plastic containers (under 150ml)
Household food containers (e.g. tuna cans) are not eligible for refunds.
Can I crush cans and bottles?
No, please do not crush your drink containers. Drink containers must be identifiable as an eligible drink container to receive a refund. It is recommended that drink containers returned for a refund meet the following requirements:
- The drink container is not damaged to the extent that it is unsuitable for recycling
- The barcode can be scanned, and
- The label can be read.
Should I take the lids off my drink containers?
No, please leave lids on your drink containers. We collect drink containers with lids attached in order to minimise the risk that any of those lids become litter.
What happens if my drink container doesn’t have a label?
If your drink container does not have a label it may not be recognised as an eligible drink container and will not be eligible for a refund.
Do I need to wash my drink containers before returning them?
No, you don't! Just make sure that your drink containers are empty, and that lids are on if possible.
Why are some drink containers eligible and not all of them?
The selected eligible drink containers for Recycle Rewards are those that are most commonly found as litter in the state’s streets, beaches, waterways and parks. Tasmanians can continue to recycle other non-eligible drink containers such as wine, cordial, milk and glass spirit bottles in their kerbside recycling bin.
Why do YAKULT containers have a 10c refund mark if they are not eligible?
Yakult containers have a 10c refund mark as some schemes in other states do accept these containers. To make things easier for manufacturers the same refund mark is used across Australia.
Will Recycle Rewards include glass wine and spirits bottles?
Glass wine and spirits bottles are not eligible drink containers under Recycle Rewards and cannot be returned for a refund.
When deciding what types of drink containers are included in the scheme, we have matched with other states as closely as possible.
There is the possibility for scope expansion in the future to include more types of drink containers. Australian jurisdictions are currently working on a harmonised process for scope expansion.
Can I choose to keep using kerbside recycling?
Yes, eligible drink containers can continue to be placed in kerbside recycling, as well as non-eligible drink containers.
Kerbside recycling will continue to play a key role, particularly for drink containers that are not eligible for refunds in Recycle Rewards.
Fundraising with Recycle Rewards
What opportunities are there for charities, schools, sports clubs and community groups to participate?
Recycle Rewards provides Tasmanian charities, community groups, environmental groups, sporting clubs and educational organisations new ways to raise funds.
- Eligible groups and organisations can register as a Donation Partner and receive refunds from the community.
- Groups and organisations can host a drink container collection drive or set up a donation point for the public to drop off eligible drink containers.
This will encourage more community participation and education around recycling while ensuring households, local clubs and groups can share in the cash benefits of recycling their used cans, bottles and cartons.
What is a Donation Partner?
A Donation Partner is a not-for-profit organisation that has been registered and approved to receive donated refunds.
Types of organisations that are listed as Donation Partners include charities, schools, sporting clubs, community and special interest clubs and groups. Political causes or organisations are not permitted to become Donation Partners.
Refunds can be donated to Donation Partners by any person returning an eligible drink container who chooses to do so.
How do I register as a Donation Partner?
Further information relating to eligibility and the registration process can be found at RecycleRewards.com.au and you can apply to register as a Donation Partner through the registration portal which is open now. TOMRA Cleanaway will then determine whether your organisation is eligible (under the relevant regulations) to become a Donation Partner. If your organisation is eligible, you will be provided with a Donation Partner ID.
How much can our organisation raise per drink container?
For every eligible drink container that your organisation returns to a refund point gets you 10 cents.
Where can I donate?
You can donate your refund for eligible drink containers returned at RVMs and Depots, by using the Recycle Rewards app.
I want to donate to a charity or cause who are not listed as a Donation Partner. What do I do?
You can get in touch with the charity, not-for-profit organisation, school, sports club or community group that you’d like to donate to and suggest they sign up!
Do I need to use the Recycle Rewards app to donate?
Using the Recycle Rewards app makes it really easy to donate but this is not the only way you can make a donation. RVMs will have selected charities featured on their payment screens and selected other refund points will also be able to make payments to selected charities.
How much of my money goes to my chosen Donation Partner?
100% of the donated refund goes to your chosen Donation Partner.
Recycle Rewards app
How do I get the Recycle Rewards app?
The Recycle Rewards app is now available to download from your preferred App Store (Google Play or Apple).
Using your mobile device, click here to download.
What key features does the app provide?
It is not necessary to download the Recycle Rewards app to participate in Recycle Rewards, as all the scheme’s information is available on the website www.RecycleRewards.com.au.
However, the app gives you access to a range of key features all in one place such as:
- Digital Refunds: Receive your refund directly to your chosen bank account or PayPal, or save digital vouchers
- Container Eligibility Checker: Use our handy container checker to see if a drink container is eligible for a refund
- Return History: Track your Recycle Rewards return history
- Donation Options: Donate your refunds to a charity or cause you care about
- Paperless Refunds: Return your eligible drink containers and get your refund paper free