In a major boost to recycling efforts across NSW and South Australia, each state’s container deposit scheme is set to expand to accept wine and spirit bottles and larger drink containers.
The container deposit scheme – which is now active in every state and territory – is the most successful recycling program in Australia’s history, with billions of eligible bottles and cans recycled.
“For almost half a century, South Australia has led the nation on container deposit legislation. It’s been an incredible success story,” said South Australian Premier Peter, Malinauskas.
“Now it is time to take the next step, and to do so in a coordinated way.”
“By expanding to include more types of beverages, it’s estimated at least 27,000 tonnes of materials will be saved from landfill each year in NSW,” said NSW Minister for Environment, Penny Sharpe.
Each container deposit program will grow to include:
- Wine and spirits glass bottles;
- Cordials and juice concentrate containers;
- Larger containers of up to three litres of beverages that are already in the scheme, like flavoured milk, fruit and vegetable juice.
These new containers will not be accepted at refund points immediately, giving the wine and spirits industry time to adjust and allowing collection points and systems to ramp up for the additional new containers.
Both state will enact these changes by late-2027.
“It’s really important that people don’t try to take their wine bottles to a Return and Earn machine tomorrow. We’re working with industry to ensure a smooth transition and to ensure return systems will be ready to handle the new containers by mid-2027,” said Minister Sharpe.
Queensland has already integrated glass wine and spirit bottles into their container deposit scheme. Western Australia committed to expanding their scheme during their recent state election. The Northern Territory has also recently announced it will bring in legislation to expand its scheme.
SA and NSW will be jointly inviting peak bodies representing key industries to further engagement on implementing these changes.
“Beverage container glass in the kerbside recycling system is problematic. Just 11% of the nearly 36,000 tonnes of glass containers put in the kerbside co‑mingled recycling bins in SA makes it back to a glass container each year,” said South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close.
“By comparison, of the 42,000 tonnes of glass containers received by CDS collection depots in SA, 99% of that glass is recovered for local bottle manufacturing.
“By making the container deposit scheme simpler, we reduce confusion about what’s included and what’s not. It will also help to keep glass out of landfill and support local remanufacturing.
“We’ve listened to industry concerns, particularly from smaller wine producers, and we will continue to engage closely with them as reforms roll out.
“We will assist the wine and spirit industry with this transition and will work with the industry to ensure the least cost, simplest approach possible, with a special focus on assisting smaller operations,” she said.
