Tasmania’s highly anticipated container refund scheme, Recycle Rewards, is set to launch on May 1, the state government has announced.
The scheme will offer a 10-cent refund for all eligible empty drink containers returned to 49 designated refund points across the island state, including King and Flinders Islands.
Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said Recycle Rewards aims to reduce litter and increase recycling, supporting the development of a circular economy.
“Drink containers make up as much as 45% of Tasmania’s litter and through Recycle Rewards, we hope to reduce that by half and double their recycling rate,” she said.
“Recycle Rewards will launch [in a staged rollout] on May 1. In the meantime, keep recycling as normal using your yellow kerbside bin or using public recycling bins.”
Minister Ogilvie encouraged beverage producers to prepare for the transition and apply for available grants to assist with the cost of obtaining barcodes and updating labels.
Grants of up to $1,000 will be available in a total funding pool of $80,000 through the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
The scheme is administered by TasRecycle and the network of refund points are operated by TOMRA Cleanaway Tasmania.
