Across the month of March, TOMRA Cleanaway were proud to sponsor the 2025 Ocean Lovers Festival. This marked our fifth year sponsoring the event, giving us the opportunity to support Australia’s largest annual cultural and science celebration for the ocean.

TOMRA Cleanaway preventing litter entering our oceans

Our sponsorship was an opportunity for us to showcase our commitment and expertise in sustainability, litter prevention and the circular economy, all of which have distinct impacts on our marine ecosystems and environment.

This year we held activations over both weekends at Darling Harbour and Bondi Beach which included container eligibility activities and a competition to engage with the community about Return and Earn, resulting in hundreds of great conversations.

Green and blue reverse vending machine in the foreground of the image with Bondi Beach located in the background
Multiple people standing at a return and earn stand at the Ocean Lovers Festival

We had the opportunity to speak with over 200 school students during the school excursion day at Bondi, teaching them about the benefits of Container Deposit Schemes like Return and Earn, and how through these programs help the environment, charities and support our circular economy through recycling.

We also attended a senior science student day at the Australian National Maritime Museum, where we connected with the Sea Bin Foundation and various Universities from across Sydney.

Ocean Lovers Talks with James Dorney

TOMRA Cleanaway CEO James Dorney spoke on the positive impact of Return and Earn and container deposit schemes on litter and ocean plastics, and explaining how extended producer responsibility could be applied more broadly across other consumer products.

James then hosted a panel discussion with solutions providers who refuse to believe the ocean trash crisis is too big to tackle. Rupert Saville – Manager Programs NSW EPA, Lottie Dalziel – Founder BANISH, and Dr Scott Wilson – Australian Microplastic Assessment Project, drew upon their experiences and expertise to provide inspiring solutions to how we can solve the ocean litter crisis.

James Dorney CEO TOMRA CLeanaway holding a water bottle and standing at a podium during the ocean Lovers Festival
James Dorney and panel standing in front of Ocean Lovers Festival media wall

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Return and Earn stall at Darling Harbour and Bondi, to everyone who used the Return and Earn machine, and to all of the speakers and organisers for shining a light on the importance of our oceans and marine ecosystems.