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From mid-2027, the scheme will grow to include most containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres such as wine and spirits, cordials and juices and larger containers of up to 3 litres that are already in the scheme, like flavoured milk and juice.

“We expect the expansion will result in an additional 8 million containers collected and 400 tonnes of recyclable material being diverted from landfill in the first year, and this will increase over time,” said Suzanne Orr, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water.

“Expanding the scheme will reduce waste and improve the recovery and circularity of our precious resources.

“Since the scheme commenced in 2018 there have been more than 430 million containers returned via local return points, which adds up to more than $43 million in the pockets of ACT residents and community organisations.”

Community consultation showed over 90 per cent of participants were in favour of expanding the scheme.

Most respondents saw the expansion as an opportunity to generate more income for themselves or local schools, charities, sporting clubs and community groups.

The expanded ACT CDS will commence no earlier than mid-2027 to  give the beverage industry time to adjust and allowing return points and systems to get ready for collecting and processing the new containers.

The new containers will not be accepted at return points until then, and the community is encouraged to keep recycling these containers in their yellow recycling bins until the expanded CDS is launched.

The ACT expansion will align with the expansion of the NSW Return and Earn scheme and will see the ACT join other jurisdictions across Australia that are also expanding their schemes.

Over the coming months, the ACT Government will prepare an updated regulation which will enable an expanded range of containers to enter the ACT CDS.

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Twelve-year-old Keira Naden is proof that recycling can take you a long way—all the way to Japan, in her case.

Keira, a dedicated member of Canberra’s Jazzy Jumpers rope skipping team, is preparing to represent Australia at the World Jump Rope Championships in Kawasaki this July. But instead of asking for donations, she and her family chose a more hands-on fundraising approach: collecting bottles and cans to redeem through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) for the 10c refund.

“When I found out I qualified for Japan, we thought it would be a good idea to do container recycling to help raise money. We posted on Facebook to ask if anyone had spare bottles and cans, and lots of people replied. We pick up their containers and they update us when they have more,” said Keira, who is in Year 7 at Amaroo High School.

“It started with a post on a local ‘buy nothing’ Facebook page and grew from our neighbourhood to Canberra-wide. We live in Gunghalin and drive as far as Tuggeranong to collect containers,” said Keira’s mother, Stacey.

Some weeks they collect more than others but usually they cash in their haul once a fortnight to the ACT CDS cash-back depot in Mitchell.

At last count, they had raised $2,000–the result of 20,000 containers—enough to cover Keira’s airfare and contribute $500 towards the club to support other participants.

“Now that we have enough for her ticket, funds raised from here will go towards supporting other Jazzy Jumpers’ travel,” said Stacey.

They plan to continue recycling containers, even though they have now covered Keira’s flights and contributed to other athletes. “I think it would be great to keep it going now that so many people know about it—people keep reaching out to donate containers!”

Keira said recycling has been an easy and rewarding way to raise money.

“I like how it doesn’t go to landfill so it’s also good for the environment – and it’s easy.”

“It’s something everyone can get involved in. We’re not asking people for money, so anyone can contribute,” said Stacey.

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In exciting news for the ACT community, four new drop and go pods will soon open, making it even easier for Canberrans to recycle their drink containers and earn a 10c refund for every eligible bottle, can and carton they return.

 The first two new pods are located at:

• Gordon district playing field, number 2 carpark off Heidelberg Street (behind the Lanyon Vikings Club) in Conder
• Richardson neighbourhood oval carpark in May Gibbs Close, Richardson.

The self-service drop and go pods will go-live in the week commencing 7 July and will be open from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.

Two more drop and go pods will be located in Kaleen and Dickson and are expected to launch in mid-July.

The four new drop and go pods will bring the number of return points in ACT to 22, including reverse-vending machines, cash-back depots, drop and go points and donation stations.

Danielle Smalley, CEO of ACT CDS scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, says the strong success of the scheme is a sign the ACT is embracing sustainability more than ever.

“It is incredible to see the strong enthusiasm from the ACT community for the scheme, with 90 per cent of residents in support of the scheme and 7 out of 10 having participated.

“In seven short years, the scheme has resulted in nearly $40 million in container refunds back in people’s pockets, helping people save for a special goal, family holidays and everyday expenses.

“In addition to the economic benefits, the ACT CDS is delivering strong social and environmental benefits. It is an increasingly popular fundraising stream for ACT charities and not-for-profits all while ensuring bottles, cans and cartons don’t end up in landfill and instead, are recycled into new containers and other products.”

Marc Churchin, CEO of ACT CDS network operator Return-It, says they’re excited to expand the ACT CDS return point network.

“We’re thrilled to launch four new drop and go pods and make drink container recycling even more accessible for the community. Every bottle, can and carton returned is a positive step towards reducing litter and landfill, and building a more sustainable future,” said Mr Churchin.

The ACT CDS is an ACT Government initiative delivered in partnership with scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator Return-It. The scheme is an example of extended producer responsibility and is funded by the beverage industry.

To find your nearest return point or learn more about the scheme, visit www.actcds.org.au.

ACT CDS fun facts

• Nearly 400 million drink containers have been returned for recycling through the return point network by the ACT community since the scheme began on 30 June 2018 resulting in nearly $40 million in container refunds back in people’s pockets.
• An additional 273 million containers have been returned via kerbside recycling since scheme commencement.
• The impact of recycling 400 million containers through the ACT CDS is equivalent to:  
  • water savings to fill 1070 Olympic swimming pools
  • energy savings to power 4963 Aussie homes for an entire year. 
  • CO-2 emission savings equivalent to taking 21468 cars off the road annually. 

• The current 12-month rolling redemption rate is 69 per cent – this means that over 2 out of every 3 containers supplied into the ACT are being redeemed through the scheme, increasing recycling rates and reducing the beverage industry’s reliance on virgin PET, glass and aluminium.   
• 90 per cent of ACT residents support the scheme and 70 per cent have participated, the majority doing so monthly.

• There are currently 18 return points available in the ACT including reverse-vending machines, drop and go pods, drop and go points, donation stations and cash-back depots for bulk collections. The opening of the four new pods will make it 22 return points available to the ACT community.

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