May 1 marked a major milestone for Recycle Rewards in Tasmania — the first anniversary of TOMRA Cleanaway operations supporting the scheme statewide.

In just 12 months, Tasmanians have recycled more than 120 million eligible containers and donated over $310,000 to charities and community causes. That’s 12 months of everyday actions adding up to something genuinely powerful: cleaner public places, less litter in the environment, and more funding flowing back into the community.

And it hasn’t stopped there. Over the past year, we’ve also celebrated the opening of our $5 million, state-of-the-art processing facility. This is a significant investment designed to strengthen Tasmania’s container recycling network and support the growing participation we’re seeing across the state.

A year of impact — one container at a time

When Recycle Rewards launched in Tasmania, the goal was simple: make it easy for people to return eligible drink containers and either receive a refund or donate it to a cause they care about. Twelve months on, the results speak for themselves.

  • 120+ million containers recycled in the first year
  • $310,000+ donated to charities through community participation

Behind every number is a story: a family dropping off bags on a weekend, a community group fundraising for its next project, a local sports club turning containers into new equipment, and countless individuals choosing to do a small thing that makes a big difference.

This is what it looks like when a whole state leans in.

A network powered by people

While the outcomes are impressive, we know they don’t happen by accident. They happen because of people. Especially because of the teams who keep the network moving day in, day out.

These achievements wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our hosts and operators, who play a critical role in keeping the network safe, reliable and welcoming for customers across Tasmania. From maintaining equipment and managing site operations to assisting customers and ensuring smooth daily performance, their work is what makes the experience consistent and positive — whether someone is returning one bag or a boot-load.

To our hosts and operators: thank you. Your commitment helps ensure:

  • Safe and well-managed sites
  • Reliable service and minimal downtime
  • Positive customer experiences
  • Strong local relationships, built through regular community engagement

It’s the type of work that often happens behind the scenes, but the impact is visible everywhere. It is seen in the numbers, in the community contributions, and in the growing confidence Tasmanians have in the scheme.

A thank you to Tasmania

We also want to recognise the strong backing from communities across Tasmania. Your participation continues to turn a good idea into real-world impact — helping make every container count.

Recycling for a refund, donating, or spreading the word—you’re helping make recycling easy and everyday in Tasmania, and that’s something we can all be proud of.

See below for image gallery of the night.

Four men stand side by side at an event, wearing name badges, in front of a branded backdrop reading Recycle Rewards and TOMRA/Cleanway logos.

Two smiling adults at a Recycle Rewards event, holding drink glasses, with a TOMRA backdrop behind them.

Four people pose and smile in front of a step-and-repeat banner with'Recycle Rewards' and TOMRA logos.

Two men converse at a social event; bearded man with a patterned shirt laughs while facing a bald man in a light blazer.

Bearded man laughing as another person places hands on his shoulders in a bright room.

Smiling woman in a red jacket holding a wine glass at a social gathering, surrounded by people in a bright venue.

Two men in suits smiling at a branded backdrop with recycling logos (Recycle Rewards, Cleanaway).

Smiling woman with blonde hair and glasses talking to a man at a bar or counter, wearing a black jacket and name tag.

Man in a gray blazer with a name tag'David' speaks animatedly at a crowded indoor networking event near a bar.

Smiling woman in a striped shirt holds a glass while chatting with friends at a bar.

Five adults smiling for the camera in front of a branded backdrop promoting'Recycle Rewards' and 'CleanAway' at a corporate event of a network operator.

Smiling woman in a striped shirt chats with a man wearing glasses at a social gathering; others blurred in the background.

Five men in smart casual clothing posing together at a recycling event in front of a TOMRA/Cleanaway backdrop.

Smiling woman named Susan in a blue shirt at a social event, holding a wine glass, chatting with colleagues.

Smiling woman with short dark hair in a striped shirt, wearing a name tag, adjusting her hair at a social gathering.

Three people sit at a table, clapping and smiling during a casual gathering, with drinks and fries on the table in front of them.

Two smiling women pose together in front of a recycling-themed backdrop with logos like Recycle Rewards and TOMRA, one wearing a beige jacket and glasses, the other in a red cardigan with a name badge.

Two men at a bar chatting, beers on the counter with shelves and bottles in the background.

Two people converse at a warm indoor social event; an older woman with white hair speaks animatedly toward a man in a patterned shirt.

Smiling man in a beige blazer speaks into a microphone at a branded backdrop backdrop.

Smiling bartender behind a busy bar with rows of liquor bottles and two blurred patrons in the foreground.

Red neon sign reading'REGGAE' mounted in a dark ceiling area of a nightclub/bar with blue and purple lighting around it

Three men posing for a photo at a TOMRA recycling event, backdrop shows ‘Recycle Rewards’ logos; left and center name tags read David and Shaun, respectively.

Woman with glasses laughing while holding a glass with a straw at a social gathering; blurred partygoers in the background.

Three adults conversing at a bar, each holding a drink and smiling at one another.

Man in a light blazer with glasses and a name tag saying'Corey' smiles while talking to two others in a bar, holding a beer glass in one hand.

Smiling woman with glasses in a light jacket holding a glass, talking with people at a bar.