Tasmanians will have another reason to return their empty drink containers from October. SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY has been named Recycle Rewards‘ Major Donation Partner for six months.

Through the partnership, Recycle Rewards is aiming to show Tasmanians that returning a drink container can be more than a simple act of recycling. It’s a way to look after the place they call home and the people who live in it.

TOMRA Cleanaway, network operator for Recycle Rewards, is delighted to welcome SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. Providing a platform that allows refund donations to flow directly to organisations making a positive difference across the state. Corey Wingard, General Manager of TOMRA Cleanaway Tasmania, shares “As network operator of Recycle Rewards, TOMRA Cleanaway is committed to delivering positive outcomes for Tasmania, both environmentally and socially.”

“SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY is a natural fit for Recycle Rewards because both initiatives are ultimately about creating stronger, healthier communities.”

“This partnership demonstrates how small individual actions can collectively create significant community impact”

Man using a large self-service payment kiosk at a teal storefront, with another person in the background.

Donating is made easy by depositing eligible containers and clicikng StayChatTY as the donation partner of your choice. Recyclers can choose whether to donate their whole reward or a partial amount, remember that every cent counts for the cause.

By choosing to donate a portion of their earnings, or their entire refund, Tasmanians can provide more than conversations. SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY creates an easy way to support suicide prevention and mental health education across the state. They achieve this through programs, school talks, workplace training, and life-changing awareness.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Guy Barnett, said Tasmanians would welcome the opportunity to support SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY through Recycle Rewards.

“Recycle Rewards is about more than recycling. It gives Tasmanians an opportunity to turn everyday actions into meaningful support for causes they care about,” Minister Barnett said. “SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY has become one of Tasmania’s most respected organisations, helping people have important conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

“Their appointment as a Major Donation Partner is a natural fit, bringing together two organisations that are making a positive difference in communities across our State.”

How your support can add up

  • 10 containers = $1 towards creating an OG Stay ChatTY car sticker. A small but visible reminder to check in with yourself and the people around you.
  • 270 containers = $27 towards a Stay ChatTY Mental Health Resource Pack for session attendees.
  • 1,000 containers = $100 towards helping a Stay ChatTY team member reach a rural community to deliver a mental health education session.

Since the Recycle Rewards launched in Tasmania in May 2025, Stay ChatTY has been a part of the scheme and will now become the Major Donation Partner from October 2026 to March 2027.  More than 171 million eligible drink containers have been returned from Recycle Rewards. Allowing the scheme to donate $459,463 to charities and community groups.

Two men in suits with blue Stay ChatTY mascot with thumbs up standing infront of reverse vending machine

This partnership paves the way for two great causes to make a postive impact in the lives of Tasmaians in a simple way.

Stay ChatTY Founder Mitch McPherson said being the Major Donation Partner was an opportunity to make supporting mental health feel simple and accessible.

“We know Tasmanians are already getting behind Recycle Rewards in a big way, so we wanted to show how easy it can be to turn those 10-cent refunds into something that supports people in our communities,” McPherson said.

“You might return a bag of cans and bottles and donate the first 10. It’s ‘only’ a dollar, but collectively those small donations can help us keep mental health conversations going across Tasmania.”

Keep mental health conversations alive. Every eligible drink container donated helps Tasmanians find the confidence to speak up, listen, and seek support. Donate today! Download the Recycle Rewards app today to find your nearest refund point and deposit your eligible containers.