We are TOMRA Cleanaway
Working closely with government and business, TOMRA Cleanaway is driving value through recycling. Our vision is to create a positive legacy in the jurisdictions that we operate.
A joint venture partnership between TOMRA, a global leader in sorting technology, and Cleanaway, Australia’s largest waste and resource recovery company. TOMRA Cleanaway is an Australian industry leader in the delivery of container deposit networks.
Our shareholders’ mission is leading the resource recovery revolution and making a sustainable future possible resulting in TOMRA Cleanaway driving value through recycling.
Our Guiding Principles

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Our community is at the core of our success. We are committed to enabling all members of the community to participate by making use of our container deposit networks, and at the same time, creating opportunities to support local causes and fund community events.

MAKING IT EASY
We provide accessible return points for the community. Whether it’s one container or 1000, we take them all. With the diversity in network capabilities, we can meet the needs of our communities across metro and regional Australia.

DOING WHAT WE SAY
We’re committed to transparency and the delivery of a reliable container refund network through real-time data. Transparency in our operations sets us apart from our competitors.
Driving Value From Recycling

About Us
Guiding the strategic direction and overall governance of TOMRA Cleanaway, our board, works closely with the executive team. Achieving network excellence and value for all our stakeholders, communities, customers, and suppliers.
Services
TOMRA Cleanaway excels in the delivery of agile services for container deposit networks that provide community access. By leveraging the operational excellence of our partners, we deliver best practice in every jurisdiction we operate.
Industry
Container deposit schemes represents just a fraction of the global waste and resource recovery industry. TOMRA Cleanaway is committed to providing the community with an essential service for public health and wellbeing.
What Our Customers Say
Hugh Packard, CEO Valmar Industries – Automated Depot Operator – Disability Services Provider
Hoxton Industries is a disability service provide that operates two automated depots in NSW in partnership with TOMRA Cleanaway. This partnership has realised wonderful opportunities for our organisation and employees. Hoxton’s automated depot operation has allowed us to employ twelve staff, all with disabilities, that have been provided a sense of purpose and pride through their work each day.
Nicole Bruce, CEO Hoxton Industries – Automated Depot Operator – Disability Services Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I contact TOMRA Cleanaway?
TOMRA Cleanaway is contactable via 1800 290 691 – our central customer service number. Or via contact us.
What does a network operator do?
A network operator is responsible for all container deposit elements: front of house collection of containers for consumers to the back of house logistics, commodity management, and recycling activities that provide surety of recycling outcomes.
TOMRA Cleanaway is the network operator for Return and Earn in NSW, Australia’s largest container deposit market, with billions of eligible containers sold annually in the state.
Network operation in NSW involves conveniently accessible container collection points for the community, a considerable logistics operation that provides a collections fleet that is technology-based and agile in responding to the needs of the network.
Commodity management, including processing and selling materials, is another considerable task that forms part of network operations. All activities are backed with real-time management of the network across the state.
How are charities & communities involved?
Container deposit schemes like Return and Earn in NSW offer fundraising opportunities for charities, schools, community, and sporting groups.
These groups can seek donations of eligible drink containers from the community to then redeem for a refund at an approved collection point.
- Charities, community groups, and social enterprises can apply to the Network Operator, TOMRA Cleanaway, to set up and run collection points where there is an identified opportunity to provide community access to a container deposit scheme.
- Charities and community groups can apply to become a donation partner on a Reverse Vending Machine and thereby receive donations from people using the machine
- Charities and community groups can also run ‘container collection drives,’ encouraging their members to donate for the organisation’s benefit
- Registered myTOMRA app users can also organise donation drives using a donation bar code option to raise funds at reverse vending machines
What is an Over the Counter Return Point?
Over the counter (OTC) return points are container collection points that manually collect containers, delivering these back to a central counting and collection centre for verification and processing. Over the counter return points typically handle smaller numbers of containers.
If you are interested in partnering to host an OTC, please contact us
What is a Reverse Vending Machine?
A reverse vending machine (RVM) is the opposite of a drink dispensing machine. A person places their empty eligible drink container into the machine, the container is scanned to verify it is eligible and the person either:
- receives a voucher they can redeem for cash or in-store credit at a partnering retailer (such as Woolworths)
- receives an electronic funds transfer to their registered PayPal account via the myTOMRA app
- donates a refund to a nominated charity or community group. These machines do not hold cash.
If you are interested in partnering to host a RVM, please contact us.
What is an Automated Depot?
An Automated Depot (AD) provides consumers with a high volume collection point for containers’ bulk quantities. The AD has a mechanical scanning and counting system that provides for efficient processing of bulk returns that involve the same cloud based verification technology used in RVM’s. ADs are operated by independent organisations and receive a handling fee paid for each eligible drink container received.
If you are interested in partnering to host an AD , please contact us.
Container deposit or kerbside recycling?
Using your kerbside recycling, you are actively participating in recycling; however, you will not personally receive the refund for eligible containers disposed of in kerbside recycling.
In NSW, kerbside recycling processors at material recovery facilities are permitted to claim the 10 cent refund on eligible containers. These operators will negotiate to share a part of these refunds with the relevant councils.
What drink containers are covered?
Most 150ml to three litre beverage containers are eligible for a 10 cent refund provided they are made from glass, plastic, aluminium, steel, or liquid paperboard. Containers should be empty, uncrushed, unbroken, and have the original label intact.
The eligibility of beverage containers generally aligns nationally amongst all container deposit schemes and includes beverages consumed away from home and are most commonly found in the litter stream. Check your state regulator for the container deposit scheme to find out more.
Why are some containers excluded?
Wine, spirit, and plain milk are general beverages consumed in the home and do not form part of the litter stream. These items are, therefore, not eligible for a container deposit scheme return.