TOMRA Cleanaway added Tasmania to its Australian container refund scheme portfolio. Recycle Rewards has been officially launched in Tasmania – the fourth scheme in the country to adopt a split responsibility model.
As network operator of Recycle Rewards, TOMRA Cleanaway has expanded operations to three states, adding the Tasmanian scheme to existing statewide network in NSW and its network in Victoria’s western region.
Chief Executive Officer, James Dorney, said the launch of Recycle Rewards would make a material difference to Tasmania’s cherished natural environment, providing cleaner communities and waterways.
“TOMRA Cleanaway has been contracted by the Tasmanian Government to deliver a convenient, accessible and technology-based refund point network, that will ensure around 85 per cent of Tasmanians have a refund collection point within 10km of their homes,” Dorney said.
“At full mobilisation of Recycle Rewards in August 2025, there will be 49 refund collection points available across Tasmania, for the community to gain their refund, or donate their eligible cans, bottles or cartons for 10c each
“We are mobilising a complementary suite of refund collection points, including reverse vending machines (RVMs) of different sizes and several large format depots, bringing our leading global container return technology to Tasmania.
“This will help ensure high levels of community participation in an accessible, convenient and rewarding scheme, which will ultimately drive higher return rates and hence better outcomes for the environment and the community.”
Dorney said the scheme adopted by the Tasmanian Government allowed for easy community access as well as local charity and community group participation.
“We know how effective the split responsibility model is from our experience running the NSW CDS, Return and Earn, where three out of four adults are regular participants in the scheme, and there are more charities, community groups and small business operators involved as collection point hosts than in any other scheme in Australia,” he said.
“Donation partners are fundamental to the success of any CRS, and the Tasmanian charitable community is already on board, with organisations such as Landcare, Variety, Royal Flying Doctors Service, Launceston City Mission and Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania signing up prior to the scheme’s launch.
“The Recycle Rewards donation partner portal is now open and signing up could not be easier. The process is simple and designed to easily register charitable organisations with support from our dedicated Donation Partner Team.
“Container refunds schemes are the modern-day sausage sizzle for Australians, activating unique communities to participate in fundraising, providing a stream of supporter-generated funds that are hassle free and low effort.
“We are encouraging charitable and community organisations across Tasmania to sign up as a donation partner on the Recycle Rewards website at www.recyclerewards.com.au/fundraising.”
Recycle Rewards is a Tasmanian Government initiative funded by contributions from the beverage industry. TasRecycle helps run administrative aspects of the scheme, while TOMRA Cleanaway is the network operator, responsible for the refund point network and payments to the public.