Tasmania has officially joined the rest of Australia in offering financial incentives for recycling, with the launch of its long-anticipated Recycle Rewards container refund scheme on Thursday.
The program, which offers 10 cents per eligible drink container returned to designated collection points, saw a strong public response on day one, with an estimated 256,000 containers refunded statewide.
According to TasRecycle, the not-for-profit organisation operating the program, Tasmanians consume more than 270 million single-use drink containers each year, and beverage containers make up nearly half of all litter in the state.
How the scheme works
Under the scheme, Tasmanians can return eligible containers—ranging from 150ml to 3L aluminium cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, steel containers, and juice boxes under 1L—to any of 49 refund points around the state. These include self-service reverse vending machines (RVMs), staffed depots, and over-the-counter drop-offs.
Consumers can receive the 10-cent refund via digital payment, e-voucher, or charitable donation, while those preferring cash refunds must go to staffed depots.
An app is also available for download, helping users find locations, link bank accounts, and pre-check container eligibility by scanning barcodes.
Social, environmental, and economic benefits
TasRecycle CEO Ken Roughley said the scheme is designed to achieve more than just putting money back in pockets.
“We’re expecting a massive reduction in litter,” Roughley said. “Currently 45 per cent of Tasmania’s litter is beverage containers—we expect to reduce that by half. We also expect a 50 per cent increase in recycling and a major cut to landfill waste.”
He also noted the initiative will generate new jobs, support economic growth, and empower community groups, with over 110 organisations already registered to receive donations through the refund process.
The scheme is part of Hobart City Council’s “zero waste to landfill” strategy, and Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie praised the public for their swift uptake.
“It’s a brilliant day for the environment and a fantastic day for Tasmania,” she said. “People in Tasmania care deeply about our environment, and we’ve already seen more than 85,000 eligible containers returned.”
What’s not eligible?
The system excludes crushed cans, as containers must be intact with visible barcodes. Other non-eligible items include wine and spirit bottles, milk containers, juice over 1L, cordial bottles, and plastic under 150ml. These should continue to go into household recycling bins.
Consumers are urged not to inundate the system with stockpiled containers from before May 1, as beverage companies only began contributing to the scheme on launch day. Returns exceeding 1,500 containers may also require a statutory declaration.
Will drinks cost more?
Yes—at least initially. Beverage companies are required to contribute around 21.43 cents per container, and major retailers such as Woolworths have confirmed that from May 1, an extra 22 cents will be added to each affected drink item.
Mr Roughley acknowledged the price increases but stressed that pricing decisions rest solely with manufacturers, not TasRecycle.
“In other states we haven’t seen prices go up beyond the cost of the scheme,” he said.
Minister Ogilvie explained that Tasmania’s unique characteristics—smaller population, limited container volume, and geographic challenges like shipping costs across Bass Strait—have affected the cost structure.
“We lack the economies of scale that mainland states enjoy,” she said.
Accessibility and rollout
Of the 49 designated refund points, 40 are already operational with the remainder rolling out in stages. The scheme promises that 85 per cent of Tasmanians will live within a 10-minute drive of a collection point, ensuring wide accessibility.
Some rural areas, including King Island and Flinders Island, are already included, and community organisations are encouraged to apply to operate refund points for additional income and local engagement.
The road ahead
While Tasmania is the last state or territory in Australia to implement a container refund scheme, it appears the public is embracing the long-overdue initiative with enthusiasm and pragmatism. Environmental advocates and local councils alike have welcomed the change, seeing it as a crucial step forward in reducing waste and building a more sustainable state.
“It’s not just about the refund,” Mr Roughley said. “It’s about protecting our environment, building community spirit, and fostering a circular economy for the future.”
To participate in the scheme, Tasmanians can visit the Recycle Rewards website to find the nearest drop-off location, register for digital payments, or select a donation partner. The app is available now on both Apple and Android devices.
