TAS FAQs

You can get a 10-cent refund on most drink containers from 150ml to 3L, as long as they’re empty, uncrushed, and the barcode is still readable. Eligible items include:

• Aluminium cans
• Plastic bottles
• Glass bottles
• Cartons under 1L
• Steel bottles and cans

Tip: check for the 10c mark on the label

These containers aren’t eligible for a refund, but you can still place them in your household recycling. They’re commonly 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 also not eligible for refunds.”

Please don’t crush your drink containers. To receive a refund, containers must be clearly identifiable as eligible. We recommend that returned containers:

Have a readable label

Are not too damaged to be recycled

Have a scannable barcode

No, please leave lids on your drink containers. We collect drink containers with lids attached to minimise the risk that any of those lids become litter.

Some drink containers aren’t eligible for Recycle Rewards. You can check the full list anytime on the website or app.

If your container is rejected, ask yourself:

• Can the barcode still be scanned?
• Is the container uncrushed and intact?

All rejected containers are reported to TOMRA Cleanaway, who investigates the reason for rejection.

You can return your containers at any of our Reverse Vending Kiosks across TAS. You can find your nearest refundpoint here.

Eligible drink containers can be returned to a refund point such as a Reverse Vending Machine or Depot. Head to recyclerewards.com.au or download the app to find a refund point near you.

A Reverse Vending Machine is your high-tech option to return empty eligible containers for recycling. Simply insert your empty containers into the chute at the front of the machine. Containers will be scanned to ensure they are eligible for a refund.

When you’ve finished depositing the containers, the Reverse Vending Machine will issue the refund.

You have the choice of how to receive your refund, with options including a cash voucher, digitally to your bank/PayPal account, or as a donation to a charity, school, sports or community group.

Every refund point, from reverse vending machines to the spaces around them and even the digital content provided, will be fully accessible to people with a disability.

They are designed to meet national and Tasmanian standards, including:

WCAG 2.1 Level AA (digital accessibility)

Disability Discrimination Act 1992

Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas)

Access to Premises Standards 2010

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.

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.

There are three options to receive your refund:  

• Receive a printed voucher or e-voucher, which can be spent in store or be exchanged for cash at the participating retailer listed on your voucher  
• 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  

You can redeem your voucher refund at the local retail redemption partner (listed on the top of the voucher). The voucher can be used to get a discount on your groceries or redeemed for cash. It is not currently available for online purchases.

You can contact TOMRA Cleanaway hotline on 1800 237 842.

Our dedicated team of customer service professionals will work with you to ensure that your refund is recognised.

You can donate your refund from eligible drink containers at Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), selected refund points, or directly through the Recycle Rewards app.

Organisations have a variety of ways they can get involved to help raise funds;

To register your interest in becoming a donation partner please visit the Charity and Community page.

The full refund amount—100%—is passed on to your chosen Donation Partner.

Recycle Rewards is Tasmania’s container refund scheme, a Tasmanian Government initiative funded by the beverage industry. It provides a 10-cent refund for every eligible drink container returned at refund points across the state.

The scheme’s goal is to cut Tasmania’s drink container litter by up to half, create new jobs and economic opportunities, and ensure containers are recycled into new products.

Collect your eligible drink containers and return them to a refund point across Tasmania. For each container, you’ll receive a 10-cent refund.

You can choose how to receive your refund:

Or by donating it directly to a Donation Partner

As a voucher to exchange for cash at participating retailers

As a deposit into your bank or PayPal account

As cash at depots

Recycle Rewards will be run by a Scheme Coordinator and a Network Operator, under a split responsibility model chosen 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 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

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s role is regulatory and will provide general oversight of the scheme, which includes contract management and policy setting of the scheme. 

Pays refunds and collection costs to the Network Operator

Reports against government performance targets

Leads marketing and communications to build awareness and education

TOMRA Cleanaway – Network Operator

Establishes and maintains refund points across Tasmania

Distributes refunds to consumers

Pays refund point operators

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

Provides regulatory oversight

Participating in Recycle Rewards is a simple and rewarding way to recycle your drink containers. By returning your eligible containers to a refund point, you’ll receive 10 cents for each one. You’ll also be helping to keep Tasmania’s environment and waterways litter-free, while ensuring your containers are turned into valuable materials for recycling.