Beverage companies join forces to deliver new Tasmanian container refund scheme

TasRecycle, a not-for-profit entity comprising Asahi Beverages, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Lion, has been appointed as Scheme Co-ordinator for Tasmania’s new container refund scheme

24 September 2024, Tasmania - TasRecycle has been appointed by the Tasmanian Government as Scheme Coordinator for the new Tasmanian container refund scheme, Recycle Rewards, announced today.

TasRecycle is a not-for-profit entity comprising Asahi Beverages, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and Lion, with each having significant experience in managing container refund schemes across Australia.  

As some of Australia’s leading beverage companies, the members have come together once again to champion producer responsibility and circular economy outcomes for packaging.

Ben Kearney, Chair, TasRecycle, said: “Together, the members of TasRecycle congratulate the Tasmanian Government for its work in bringing a container refund scheme to Tasmania.

“We look forward to supporting Tasmania’s environmental goals and the thousands of local community organisations, households and businesses who will benefit from the introduction of a successful container refund scheme.”

TasRecycle will work closely with the Tasmanian Government and the Network Operator to deliver an efficient, high integrity, and customer-focused container refund scheme that will provide environmental, social, and financial benefits for Tasmanians.

As Scheme Coordinator, TasRecycle will be responsible for managing the marketing, running the financial operations, and ensuring the smooth operation of Tasmania’s container refund scheme.

The introduction of Tasmania’s Recycle Rewards will be a major milestone for recycling in Australia. Once it is live, there will be container refund schemes in all Australian states and territories.  

In states and territories with a container refund scheme, consumers pay a returnable ten-cent deposit for each eligible container purchased. This creates an incentive to return the containers, giving them the best possible chance of being recycled into a new container.

There will be 49 container refund points available across Tasmania, making Recycle Rewards accessible for all Tasmanians.

Orlando Rodriguez, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia said:

“CCEP is determined to be a leader in Australia’s circular economy. By designing our packaging to maximise recycled content, playing a leadership role in every running container refund scheme and investing in local recycling infrastructure, we are proud to help create a closed loop system where bottles have the best possible chance of becoming a new one.

“Nationally, 60 per cent of post-consumer goods plastic is recycled through container refund schemes, compared to a headline national plastics rate of 18 per cent. Container refund schemes play a critical role in reducing waste going to landfill.  

“Together with our partners, we look forward to working closely with the Tasmanian Government to ensure the Scheme is a success, and to give Tasmanians the opportunity to benefit environmentally, financially and socially from Australia’s newest container refund scheme.”

Amanda Sellers, Group CEO, Asahi Beverages, said:

“Asahi Beverages is delighted to work with the Tasmanian Government to bring its container refund scheme to life. The scheme will be great for Tasmanians and the environment. Cascade Brewery looks forward to playing its part in the success of the Tasmanian container refund scheme.”

Managing Director Lion Australia, James Brindley said:

 “At Lion we are committed to our long-term Force For Good strategy, and our involvement in bringing a Container Deposit Scheme to Tasmania is further progress against this strategy. From our iconic Tasmanian brand James Boag’s to the many other Lion products enjoyed by Tasmanians, we look forward to these being recycled and Tassie seeing the same environmental and social benefits as the other states and territories around Australia with container deposit schemes”.