Opinion Editorial - Rewards program will help cut waste

Container refund scheme benefits far outweigh the costs, writes Dion Lester.

Waste is a fact of life, and the evidence indicates that our waste generation is only continuing to increase. But it is time to recognise that just putting rubbish in the bin will no longer work for the environment, the economy or the community.

This is particularly the case for Tasmania, where we lag well behind most mainland jurisdictions when it comes to resource recovery, with us currently recovering only 56 per cent of the waste we generate.

This is well behind the national average of 66 per cent and states like South Australia which recovers 82 per cent.

This presents a risk to public health and the environment and negatively impacts on the clean and green public image of our state.

While the community has generally embraced the recycling message, current measures are not effective enough to stem the tide of waste generation. As our population grows and the economy expands, we will continue to be presented with new challenges in waste management. But with these challenges comes many more opportunities.

Local government shoulders the burden of waste management and recycling and we are also responsible for much of the state’s litter collection and rubbish removal. And that is why Tasmanian councils are supportive of the introduction of the Recycle Rewards container refund scheme, which commenced on May 1.

As the final Australian jurisdiction to implement such a program, Tasmania is poised to reap many benefits from this initiative.

Currently, beverage containers account for about 45 per cent of Tasmania's litter by volume.

By offering a 10c refund for each eligible container returned, the scheme encourages responsible disposal and recycling practices.

The Recycle Rewards scheme aims to reduce this figure by up to 50 per cent, significantly decreasing litter in public spaces, waterways, and natural habitats.

It is not just the environment that benefits from this scheme. Resource recovery generates significantly more jobs and economic activity than landfilling waste. For every 10,000 tonnes of waste, recycling creates 9.2 jobs compared to only 2.8 for landfilling.

In Tasmania, the introduction of Recycle Rewards is expected to create more than 50 new direct jobs through the establishment and operation of refund points, with additional indirect employment opportunities in the recycling, logistics, and community engagement sectors.

Furthermore, the scheme provides a new revenue stream for charities, community groups, and sports clubs, which can collect containers or register as donation partners to receive funds from returned containers.

The Recycle Rewards scheme represents a significant step forward in Tasmania's commitment to environmental sustainability, economic development, and community engagement. By reducing litter, enhancing recycling rates, creating jobs, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, the scheme offers comprehensive benefits that extend beyond the immediate financial costs. Surely it is worth paying an additional 22c for your beverage. Or a mere 12c if you keep the empty container and return it to one of the designated refund points across the state.

Dion Lester is the chief executive of the Local Government Association of Tasmania.

As published in The Mercury on 30 May 2025.