Collect cans, bottles and cartons to help the environment and raise important school funds
Schools across Tasmania are using Recycle Rewards to raise funds, reduce waste and bring students together around a positive environmental action.
Whether it’s a small primary school donation point or a whole-school fundraising drive, Recycle Rewards makes it easy for schools to combine sustainability, education and fundraising.
Why schools are getting involved
Recycle Rewards offers several benefits for schools, students and their wider communities.
A new way to raise funds
Every eligible drink container returned to a Recycle Rewards refund point is worth 10 cents, which quickly adds up when the whole school community gets involved. Funds raised can support classroom resources, playground upgrades, sports equipment, excursions or school programs.
Hands-on environmental learning
Participating in container collection gives students a real-world example of how the circular economy works. It helps reinforce lessons about litter, sustainability, waste reduction and resource recovery in a practical way.
Community connection
School collections often involve families, neighbours and local businesses donating containers. This helps build strong connections between the school and the broader community while supporting a shared environmental goal.
Cleaner schools and communities
Collecting eligible drink containers helps keep recyclable materials out of general waste and reduces litter in school grounds and local areas.
How schools can get involved
1. Register as a donation partner
School associations can register as a Recycle Rewards donation partner to receive refunds via the Recycle Rewards app or by using the dedicated “charity barcode” issued to donation partners upon registration.
2. Choose a collection method
School associations typically collect containers in two ways:
On-site collection – Students and families bring eligible drink containers to school to be stored. A nominated volunteer then returns the containers to a Recycle Rewards refund point at their convenience.
Direct returns – It’s really important that your community know that they need to scan their Recycle Rewards app before they start returning drink containers at a reverse vending machine or depot. From here, your community can directly donate their refunds at the refund point in two ways: they can select your fundraising campaign as their preferred payout method in the app, or they can scan your charity barcode on the machine.
Both options (on-site collection or direct returns) work well depending on the school’s space, volunteers, fundraising goals and promotional initiative.
3. Promote the initiative
Let your school community know about your fundraising campaign. Include information in newsletters, assemblies, social media posts and parent communications to encourage participation and drive returns.
Our school toolkit contains hundreds of free and customisable print and digital templates to help you promote your fundraising campaign, including:
- eligibility resources
- how-to guides
- posters
- signs
- social media assets
- stickers
Setting your school up for success
Schools that see the greatest results usually take a coordinated approach.
Make it visible
Place clearly labelled donation bins in accessible locations such as near canteens, school entrances or staff areas. Visibility helps remind students and families to participate. Use our free templates to apply Recycle Rewards branding, which will help reduce bin contamination.
Get students involved
Student leadership groups, sustainability committees and environmental clubs can help manage collections, track totals and promote the program. Organising competitions between classes also helps drive volume.
Partner with the community
Local businesses, sporting clubs and community groups may be happy to donate their eligible drink containers to support your campaign.
Celebrate milestones
Recognising achievements – such as reaching collection milestones or fundraising targets – helps keep the school community motivated and engaged.
Use our free resources
Calculate your school’s impact
Every eligible drink container returned to a Recycle Rewards refund point helps save water, energy and carbon emissions by reducing the need for raw materials in the production of new drink containers.
Show your students the importance of their recycling and celebrate their efforts by using our impact calculator to see just how much of an impact your school community is making.