Project status: Closed

Thank you for having YourSay

Thank you to everyone who participated in the consultation on the ACT Container Deposit Scheme expansion. The Listening Report summarising what we heard can be viewed here.

About the project

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the ACT Container Deposit Scheme expansion. Feedback closed on Tuesday 22 August 2023.

The ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) was introduced in 2018 and allows people to return eligible, empty drink containers for a 10-cent refund per item. Currently the scheme accepts aluminium cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles and cartons (flavoured milk and juice boxes).

The ACT Government is considering the inclusion of the following items into the Scheme:

  • water (inflatable sachets and other packaging types) – one to three litres
  • fruit and vegetable juice (at least 90% juice and all container types) – one to three litres
  • flavoured milk (all container types) – one to three litres
  • concentrated fruit and vegetable juice intended to be diluted before consumption (all container types) – 150 millilitres to three litres
  • cordial (undiluted and all material types) – 150 millilitres to three litres
  • wine – 150 millilitres to three litres
  • spirits – 150 millilitres to three litres
  • flavoured alcoholic beverages with a wine base – one to three litres.

The proposal supports a national agreement to expand and harmonise the scope of container deposit schemes by the end of 2025. Introducing a harmonised expanded scope of containers will make it easier for businesses that supply to multiple states and territories.

Over 444 million containers have been returned and recycled through the scheme. Expanding the types of eligible containers will see even more containers recycled and remanufactured through the scheme, improving resource recovery and contributing to a circular economy.

Thank you for having YourSay

Thank you to everyone who participated in the consultation on the ACT Container Deposit Scheme expansion. The Listening Report summarising what we heard can be viewed here.

How you had YourSay

In April 2021, the National Environment Ministers agreed to the harmonisation of containers (size and products), refund amounts and container approvals for Container Deposit Schemes across Australian jurisdictions by the end of 2025.

This engagement specifically addresses the harmonisation of containers in terms of their size and products, and it is not intended to address the other aspects of this commitment at this stage.

The containers listed above for the proposed ACT CDS expansion align with the items the NSW Government has included in the consultation process for their Scheme expansion.

The community, industry and stakeholders were invited to have their say on the types of containers proposed under the ACT CDS expansion.

Your feedback will be used to inform the scheme expansion including the additional eligible container types proposed, timing of its rollout and how the ACT Government will work to support business and industry in the transition.