Media release – Roger Jaensch, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, 3 May 2023
Have your say on the draft container refund scheme regulations
Members of the public are invited to have their say on the Draft Container Refund Scheme Regulations 2023.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Roger Jaensch, said that under the Container Refund Scheme, known as Recycle Rewards, Tasmanians will be able to get a 10 cent reward for each eligible, empty drink container they take to a designated refund point.
“Recycle Rewards will reduce litter and increase rates of recycling while supporting the transition to a circular economy,” Minister Jaensch said.
“Significant work is being done to establish the scheme, with laws already made and the tender process for the Scheme Coordinator and Network Operator well advanced,” Minister Jaensch said.
As part of preparations, draft regulations have been developed to provide operational detail around the Container Refund Scheme Act 2022, including:
- the 10 cents per container refund amount;
- technical details for barcodes and refund messages to be included on beverage labels;
- circumstances where a refund is not payable (such as where a container is broken or contaminated); and
- which beverage containers won’t be covered by the scheme when it commences (such as unflavoured milk, wine and spirits).
Minister Jaensch said the draft regulations aim to deliver consistency with national harmonisation of container types, refund amounts, labelling and education, which will provide certainty for beverage producers and simplify schemes for consumers.
Consultation on the Tasmanian draft regulations closes at 5pm on 14 June 2023.
For information or to make a submission, go to https://nre.tas.gov.au/environmental-management/recycle-rewards/draft-container-refund-scheme-regulations-2023
