The ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) will expand to increase the range of containers eligible for the 10c refund.
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.
