Container Deposit Schemes

What is a Container Deposit Scheme?

It's cash for cans! Container Deposit Scheme  refers to the collection of drink containers and receiving a cash refund for each container returned. Container Deposit Schemes (also known as Container Refund Schemes, Cash for Containers or Container Deposit Legislation) involve the addition of a small, refundable deposit being added to the price of a beverage at the point of sale.


Container deposits are effective because of the financial incentive for the person that picks up the discarded container and returns it for the refund. When the beverage has been consumed and the container is empty, it can be returned to a collection point, where the refund of the deposit is redeemed. It aims to reduce the amount of beverage container litter and increase the amount of recycling by using a financial incentive (10c in Australia).


What are the benefits?

These schemes slash litter rates and reduce rubbish going to landfill or ending up in the environment, increase recycling rates,  lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce water usage, create jobs, deliver cash to our our hip pockets and generate purer streams of recyclable materials that can have a second life as inputs to new products, helping to build a more sustainable ‘circular economy’.


By the way - you get a 10 cent refund for every eligible drink container you return and you can choose to keep the refund or donate it to your favourite cause (like Clean Up Australia!)


What's next?

We're almost there! We only have Tasmania and Victoria to implement their schemes before we can declare a continental Cash for Containers.


  • We are lobbying for their inclusion of wine bottles to be recognised as eligible containers in all states.

  • We'd like to see the use of recycled content in all beverage containers.


Our aim is make Australia be the first continent on the planet to adopt Cash for Containers – and we are almost there! Every State and Territory in Australia has now announced, or put in place, a Container Deposit Scheme.


Here’s a rundown of what’s happening around the country. 


VIC

At last the Victorian Government is proceeding with a container deposit scheme set to start in 2023. Learn more about their plans here.


TAS

TAS has announced it will deliver a Container Refund Scheme which is set to begin operating in the first half of 2023. Learn more about their plans here.


SA

SA started their scheme in 1977, paving the way for container deposit legislation in Australia. After more than 40 years, SA continues to lead the country in litter reduction of beverage containers, with an overall return rate of 76.4%. Learn more about their scheme here. 


NSW

NSW started their scheme, Return and Earn, on 1 December 2017. Communities across the state have made recycling a part of their everyday routine, with more than 5 billion bottles and cans returned for recycling since the scheme kicked off. Return and Earn has contributed to an average 40 per cent annual reduction in drink container litter in NSW. Learn more about the scheme here.


QLD

QLD started their scheme, Containers for Change, on 1 November 2018. Learn more about the scheme here.


ACT

ACT started scheme on 30 June 2018. Learn more about the scheme here.


WA

WA’s Container Deposit Scheme, Containers for Change, started on 1 October 2020. Learn more about their scheme here.


NT

NT started their scheme, Cash for Containers, on 3 January 2012. A 2018 review found the scheme to be successfully reducing waste and increasing resource recovery, reuse and recycling. Learn more about their scheme here.



More Actions You Can Take

    • Older News

    September 2015: Clean Up Australia joins the NSW Container Deposit Scheme Community and Local Government Working Group 

    July 2015: Clean Up Australia joins the Queensland Government's Advisory Panel to review and recommend options for a Queensland Container Refund Scheme

    As one of the most rubbished states in Australia, with beverage containers representing 37.5% of Top Ten rubbish items reported by you, we are calling on the state government to slow the tide of wasted resource by implementing a proven scheme that will capture and recycle these items BEFORE they become part of the scenery.

    16 May 2015: The Beverage Industry lobbies for an alternative CDS scheme 'Thirst for Good' . Deemed inadequate and tokenistic by environmental groups, we call on people to let the Environment Minister know their thoughts.

    4 March 2015: Bipartisan support for NSW implementation of our cash for containers scheme with Luke Foley pledging his support

    20 February 2015: It's official, NSW Government has committed to the implementation of a container refund scheme, with Premier Mike Baird announcing a 10c deposit via reverse vending technology effective July 2017

     7 January 2015: Victorian Environment Minister, Lisa Neville, refuses to acknowledge benefits of a container refund scheme

    4 January 2015: NSW Premier Mike Baird announced intention to introduce a Container Deposit Scheme for NSW

    December 16, 2014: 5 trillion reasons for a CDS 

    December 11: How badly do you want a CDS in your state? Help by signing up today

    December 10, 2014: Twitter Storm , calling for a CDS #CashforContainers

    November 2, 2014: If you need more reasons to say YES to a Container refund scheme 

    October 23, 2014: Give Frank a break - Australian Marine Conservation Society call for a Container refund Scheme

    October 6, 2014: Mountains of Plastic Bottles in the Maldives

    September 11 2014: 2 Minute Clean Up along the Hume Highway

    September 10 2014: A social experiment

    August 18 2014: Call for Victorians to let their MP's know they support the introduction of a container refund scheme 

    August 15 2014: Ian Kiernan urges Victorians to sign the 10c Deposit Now Petition

    August 11, 2014: Hundreds of volunteers come together to build a 7m turtke out of bottles and cans in Federation Square, Melbourne

    July 21 2014: Ian Kiernan visited John Sidoti - MP for Drummoyne, NSW - who is supportive

    July 16 2014: The Sydney Daily Telegraph article generates heated community debate abut the costs and benefits of a container refund scheme

    June 23 2014: City of Sydney installs three reverse vending machines at Dixon Street Mall, Haymarket and Circular Quay. A six month trial, tourists and locals are encouraged to deposit their plastic bottles and metal cans, turning them into vouchers or a donation to Clean Up Australia

    June 19 2014: Ian Kiernan met with Matt Kean, member for Hornsby at Parliament House, Sydney

    June 3 2014: Ian Kiernan planned to visit Minister Anthony Roberts of Lane Cove at Level 3 Suite 302, 230 Victoria Road Gladesville NSW 2111 at 10am; but the meeting was postponed due to a lack of confirmation from the Minister's office

    June 2 2014: Ian Kiernan visiting Minister Garry Edwards of Swansea at Shop 1 204-206 Pacific Highway Swansea NSW 2281 at 1pm

    June 2 2014: Ian Kiernan visiting Minister Chris Holstein of Gosford at 20 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy, NSW 2250 at 10am 


    May 23 2014: Ian Kiernan visiting Minister Matt Kean of Hornsby at Suite 5 the Madison, 25-29 Hunter Street, Hornsby, NSW 2077 at 2pm

    May 23 2014: Ian Kiernan visiting Minister Ray Williams of Hawkesbury at Suite 202 Rousehill Town Centre, 10-14 Market Lane Rouse Hill NSW 2155 at 10am

    May 22 2014: Ian Kiernan meeting with Minister Dominic Perrottet of Castle Hill at 287c, Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154 at 9am

    May 20 2014: Ian Kiernan visits Minister Andrew Rohan of Smithfield at 2/679 the Horsely Drive Smithfield NSW 2164 at 11:45am

    May 20 2014: Ian Kiernan visits Minister Glenn Brookes of East Hills at 20 Revesby Place, Revesby NSW 2212 at 10am

    May 19 2014: Community cabinet meeting at Club Central, 2 Crofts Avenue, Hurstville

    May 19 2014: Community rally at St. George Regional Community Cabinet Meeting from 5:30 to 6:30pm

    May 19 2014: Ian Kiernan visiting Cooks River Clean up at Ewen Park, Hurlstone Park at 3 to 4:30pm

    April 30 2014: Decision stalled yet again. We question - is this political suicide?

    April 29 2014: Environment Ministers meet. We seek action

    April 11 2014: Confused by claims and counter claims about the impacts of a Container Refund Scheme?

    April 4 2014: Community Cabinet comes to Casula, NSW. Locals urged to attend to have their say

    March 27 2014: People of NSW urged to contact premier Barry O'Farrell to lodge their suport for a container refund scheme.

    February 26 2014: Trashie Selfie launched.

    February 21 2014: Ian Kiernan apprears on Wake-Up.

    February 18 2014: Warnambool Coastcare Festival hands out 10c for bottles and cans cashed in

    February 17 2014: Cooks River Bottle Tossers call on communities to contact NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell in support of a 10c Refund schemeDecember 16 2013: Tasmanian Councils could save up to $1.3 million annually.

    October 8 2013: marked the 10th Anniversary of the campaign for a Container Refund Scheme

    September 30 2013: Radio Advertising - calling for community support in NSW commences.

    September 27 2013: Sydney Morning herald alleges KAB has been facilitating ministerial lobbying meetings against the introduction of a national container refund scheme. 

    August 16 2013: Ian Kiernan, Boomerang Alliance and greenpeace deliver an invoice to Coca Cola for reimbursement of costs to the people of the NT while their state government supported their refunds

    August 14 2013: Glebe community introduced to the convenience of reverse vending for bottles and cans at a local community day

    August 10 2013: Coogee community introduced to the convenience of reverse vending for bottles and cans at a local community day

    August 6 2013: NT VICTORY - in a blow to CCA state and Territory ministers support reinstatement of the NT refund scheme. 

    July 31 2013: Call to action to petition VIC Premier and Environment Minister for their support

    July 5 2013: Community call to action to support Territorians as theri state government garners support for legislation to continue their refund scheme

    June 7 2013: Victorian Premier Denis Napthine comes under attack for his support of a container refund scheme. 

     May 23 2013: Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings announces $50,000 for a cost benefit analysis of a stste based refund scheme. 

    May 22 2013: Petitions delivered to NSW Politicians

    May 1 2013: Litter scandal exposed in Darling Harbour. 


    April 22 2013 - NT achieved bipartisan national support for their container refund scheme.

    April 15 2013 - Check how your state rates on the likelihood of bottles and cans being a rubbish item.

    April 12 2013 - The Northern Territory Government achieves support from all states and territories.

    April 12 2013 - Tim Strom, Real News Network, releases his report on the status of deliberations so far.

    April 12 2013 - Victorian Premier Dennis Napthine publicly announces support for a national refund scheme, stating he is keen to pursue the opportunities in Victoria.

    April 11 2013 - GreenPeace sends an open letter to Coke's Australian MD.

    April 11 - The NT Government announced they have secured support from all Australian jurisdictions for the Territory's bid to get a Commonwealth exemption to keep their popular container recycling scheme going.

    April 11 - The COAG meeting of state environment ministers rebuffs Coca Cola's attempts to derail the intruduction of a national container refund scheme by annnouncing they would deal with the final assessment of the scheme as soon as possible.

    March 2013- The ACT Legislative Assembly today passed a motion to support the progress of CDS across Australia.

    March 2013 - The NT Government has pledged to underwrite the scheme for the next 8 weeks, they will continue to pay the 10cents refund while give time for the legal processes to work.

    March 2013 - A welcome breakthrough as the Senate unanimously votes to support the continued operation of the Northern Territory's Container Deposit Scheme.

    March 2013 - Full page print ad in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age showing a dead Shearwater bird with a stomach full of plastic and a call to NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell to stand up to Coke's bullying and help the 'Cash for container's campaign go national.

    March 2013 - Coca Cola issue a press release to try and finally get some good publicity. It fails and the Australian public see through the propaganda. Read some of the comments regarding the press release. Coke claim that the National Bin Network is the best way forward but this scheme has been proven to be far less successful than CDS. Firstly because if relies on people to actually put their rubbish in the bin in the first place. Secondly the rubbish needs to go in the correct bin, if a recycle bin contains over 7% of the wrong rubbish it will ALL go straight to landfill. CDS works as there are always going to be people to will litter, but if there is a 10c value on each of the bottles and cans then there will always be someone who picks them up and collects the cash.

    March 2013 - Huge backlash on social media against Coca Cola, Lion Nathan and Schweppes for effectively saying they are against recycling and helping the environment. Tens of thousands of Australian pledge to boycott them and their products.

    March 2013 5pm - Coca Cola, Lion Nathan and Schweppes have won the court case against the NT government to stop their container deposit scheme. Very disappointing news for the environment.

    March 2013 10am - Ian Kiernan, our Chairman and Founder, pays a visit to Coca Cola Amatil headquarters to return some of the bottles and cans collected on Clean Up Australia Day. He was stopped by 6 policemen - what a ridiculous waste of poice resources! 

    March 2013 - On Clean Up Australia Day, approximately 40% of the rubbish collected nationally were beverage containers. In South Australia, where they have a successful Container Deposit Scheme, the figure is just 10%.

    February 2013 - The online petition set up by Greenpeace to campaign for a CDS has over 40,000 signatures in just one week. 

    February 19th 2013 - The Federal Court heard Coca Cola's, Lion Nathan's and Schweppes' challenge to the NT's Container Deposit Scheme. Th judge stated he would hand his decision down in 2 weeks. The argument by the beverage companies is that the scheme is illegal due to the Mutual Recognition Act of 1992. The act states that there should be free movement of goods and service providers throughout Australia, and therefore the scheme breaches Commonwealth law because it required different production processes for the same products in different states and territories. The Nt argued that their scheme should be exempt because it was aimed at reducing environmental harm. South Australia also have a CDS but theirs was brought in before the act was passed.
    Share by: