Northern Tasmania’s first reverse vending machine for recycling drink containers has been installed, marking a major milestone ahead of the start of the Recycle Rewards scheme on 1 May.

The North’s first Recycle Rewards Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) is located at Mowbray Marketplace in Launceston and is one of more than 49 refund points that will be installed statewide in coming months, with 40 operational on day one.

The RVMs will be the main point where Tasmanians can return eligible drink containers and receive a 10c refund.

Minister for the Environment Madeleine Ogilvie said today marked an important milestone.

“In less than two months, Tasmanians will be able to participate in the new Container Refund Scheme, Recycle Rewards, and that’s good news for locals and good news for our environment,” Minister Ogilvie said.

“Australia will be the first continent in the world to have a Container Refund Scheme across every state and territory.”

TOMRA Cleanaway CEO, James Dorney celebrated the first Recycle Rewards RVM installation in the North as a milestone for the roll out of the refund point network.

“Mowbray Marketplace is the first Recycle Rewards RVM point we have placed in Northern Tasmania, and over the coming months, TOMRA Cleanaway will be delivering Tasmania’s network of 40 refund points including reverse vending machines and depots that will be available from 1 May, with nine more in the months that follow,” Mr Dorney said.

“Providing an accessible and convenient network of refund points will enable the community to recycle and receive their 10c refund for every eligible drink container they return.”

TasRecycle CEO Ken Roughley said the RVMs would give Tasmanians an opportunity to help the environment one drink container at a time.

“The Recycle Rewards scheme will allow Tasmanians for the first time to return eligible containers from 150ml to 3L and receive a 10 cent refund,” Mr Roughley said.

“You’ll be able to choose to keep the refund for yourself or to donate it to a charity partner. Importantly, you will also be making a big change with your small change.

“The fact is that across Tasmania around 45 per cent of all litter volume is made up of drink containers.  The Recycle Rewards scheme aims to cut that in half, which means fewer bottles in landfill or floating in our waterways, so that’s great for our environment.”

City of Launceston Mayor, Mathew Garwood welcomed the delivery of the RVM to Launceston, which will begin servicing the community from 1 May.

“This is a great initiative that’ll give us all that extra little push to do the right thing by the environment,” Mayor Garwood said.

“It’s awesome that the Mowbray Marketplace RVM has been installed as the first location in northern Tasmania for Recycle Rewards, and I encourage everyone to get on board when the scheme launches on 1 May.”

In late April, a full list of Recycle Rewards refund points will be available at recyclerewards.com.au

Recycle Rewards is a Tasmanian Government initiative funded by contributions from the beverage industry. Our team at TasRecycle, a not-for-profit, helps run administrative aspects of the scheme, while TOMRA Cleanaway has been appointed as the Network Operator, responsible for the refund point network and payments to the public.  For more information go to: www.recyclerewards.com.au