Australian States Expand Container Deposit Schemes to Include Wine and Spirit Bottles
Multiple Australian jurisdictions are planning or have implemented expansions to their container deposit schemes (CDS) to include wine and spirit bottles, alongside other beverage containers, aiming to increase recycling rates.
Western Australia Expansion
Starting July 1, 2026, Western Australia will expand its "Containers for Change" program. The revised scheme will include wine and spirit bottles, as well as containers for fruit and vegetable juice, flavored milk, and cordial. Almost all beverage containers between 150 milliliters and 3 liters will become eligible for a 10-cent refund.
According to WA Return Recycle Renew Limited CEO Tim Cusack, the expansion is intended to make participation easier for residents. The state government estimates the changes will divert approximately 200 million additional containers from landfill each year.
Since the program launched in 2020, over 5.4 billion containers have reportedly been kept out of landfill.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn noted that Western Australia's beverage container recovery rate has increased from 34% to over 65%, with glass containers reaching an 80% recovery rate.
Australian Capital Territory Expansion
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has announced an expansion of its CDS, which currently offers a 10-cent refund for most aluminum cans, some glass and plastic bottles, and cartons. The expanded scheme will include wine and spirit glass bottles, cordial containers, and larger versions of existing eligible containers such as flavored milk and fruit juice. Plain milk containers are not part of this expansion. The new additions are projected to commence no earlier than mid-2027.
ACT Environment Minister Suzanne Orr stated the changes are a step in developing the territory's circular economy, aiming to reduce landfill waste and litter.
The government anticipates the expansion will result in an additional 8 million containers being recycled in the first year, increasing to 13 million annually thereafter, diverting approximately 400 tonnes of recyclable material from landfills.
The 18-month waiting period before implementation is intended to allow producers time to meet new labeling, reporting, and administrative requirements, as well as to educate consumers. Ms. Orr described this timeline as a necessary adjustment period.
Exchange for Change CEO Danielle Smalley noted that over 440 million containers have been recycled through the current ACT scheme since its inception in 2018.
Interstate Comparisons
Eligibility for recycling glass wine and spirit bottles for cash varies across other Australian states.
State Status of Wine & Spirit Bottle Inclusion Queensland The Containers for Change program already refunds eligible glass wine and spirit bottles. Northern Territory Plans to expand to include spirit and wine containers by August 2027, with a two-year transition period. South Australia Aims to include spirit and wine bottles, juice and cordial containers, and larger flavored milk containers by 2027. Victoria & Tasmania Only small glass beverage bottles are currently eligible for a 10-cent refund. New South Wales Only glass bottles containing water, beer, soft drinks, pre-mixed spirits, juice, and kombucha can be exchanged. Expansion to include wine and spirit bottles announced for mid to late 2027.A 2025 federal government inquiry recommended harmonizing Australia's container deposit schemes.