Container Refund Scheme
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Due to start in the first half of 2023, Tasmanians will get a refund for each eligible drink container they return to a designated Refund Point. The Container Refund Scheme aims to reduce litter and increase recycling.
Stay up to date
You can stay informed on Tasmania's CRS by signing up for our regular email updates - register your interest for email updates.
Register your interest in running a Container Refund Point
Refund Point Operators (RPOs) will be a critical part of the Scheme - they will run Refund Points for people to return their containers to and get a 10c refund. Refund Point Operators will be paid a handling fee for each eligible container collected.
Please complete this form by
5pm Friday 2 September 2022.
Please note that the Department makes no guarantees on the outcome of completing this form. It is simply information gathering to help the Network Operator assess opportunities for RPO sites across Tasmania.
Container Refund Scheme Act
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 Bill can be viewed on the Parliament website.
Can I start collecting containers now?
You should only begin collecting your beverage containers once the Scheme has started.
In the meantime, we encourage consumers not to ‘stockpile’ containers and to continue to recycle as normal in their yellow lidded kerbside bin, or public recycling bins, until the Scheme starts.
Find out more about the Scheme
Background information on the CRS
Drink containers make up 45 per cent of Tasmania’s litter, by volume. When the Scheme starts, Tasmanians will get a refund for each eligible drink container they return to a designated Refund Point. The statewide Container Refund Scheme (CRS) aims to reduce litter and boost recycling, to protect our unique natural environment. Millions of drink containers will be recycled each year instead of ending up in our parks, rivers and beaches.
Every Australian state and territory has a CRS or has committed to implement one. All states are working to harmonise the refund amount, which is currently 10 cents per container.
Check out the lasted Waste Initiatives Progress Report outlining the status of various waste initiatives in Tasmania including CRS. The Progress Report outlines the key actions that the Government is already implementing or has committed additional resourcing to in the 2021-22 Budget.
Waste Initiatives Progress Report (PDF 335Kb)
Scheme governance
The Tasmanian Government has announced its position on how the CRS should be governed. The selected model is ‘split responsibility’ governance. That means a Scheme Coordinator oversees the Scheme’s finances and administration, while an independent Network Operator establishes and runs the network of Container Refund Points.
The Tasmanian Government has selected this model because it will bring together all the relevant sectors to deliver the best Scheme; we think this will maximise container returns. We want the network of Refund Points to be run by companies with expertise in logistics and recycling.
Public Submissions
Public comment was invited on the draft Bill from 5 June 2021 until 9 July 2021.
Submissions received and a summary report are available to view Public Submissions: Draft Container Refund Scheme Bill 2021.