One million mark milestone hit for Tasmania’s Recycle Rewards deposit scheme

One million bottles of beer not on the wall but recycled through Tassie’s container deposit scheme. Here’s how fast Tassie reached one million deposits.

Madeleine Ogilvie, Minister for the Environment with Scouts Tasmania at a South Hobart Recycle Rewards deposit point. Picture: supplied

In under four days Tasmanians had already recycled one million plastic containers through the new long-awaited container deposit scheme Recycle Rewards.

The scheme launched on May 1 at 40 deposit locations across the state, where people can deposit eligible 150ml-3L drink containers in exchange for 10 cents each.

Southern Tasmania has the most refunded containers by the end of Sunday, with 594,253 deposited, in the north 405,765 and in the north-west and west coast 206,211.

The biggest day for container deposits was Sunday with 362,880 deposits.

The big one million mark was made at Cove Hill Precinct in Bridgewater.

Scouts Tasmania members Jasmine Harper, Phoenix McCarthy, Xavier Webster, Vincent Webster at the official start of the Recycle Rewards container refund program at the Resource Work Cooperative at South Hobart Tip Shop. Picture: Alastair Bett

Environment Minister Madeline Ogilvie said Tasmanians were getting behind the scheme.

“Recycle Rewards rewards Tasmanians for doing the right thing, ensuring that litter is recycled and doesn’t go into landfill, or the environment where it can hurt our wildlife,” she said.

When depositing a plastic container, the 10 cents can either be kept or donated to one of over 120 official Donation Partners.

The three partners with the most donations so far are Tassie Mums, Landcare Tasmania, and the Burnie Men’s Shed.

The most popular container types deposited were aluminium (62 per cent), followed by plastic (25 per cent), glass (12 per cent), and liquid paper board (1 per cent).

The scheme faced some delay, originally meant to be launched back in 2023.

Retailers have also voiced concern about a drop in sales due to an increase in cost for drink bottles and cans.

Originally published as One million mark milestone hit for Tasmania’s Recycle Rewards deposit scheme