Your Guide to the Expanding Container Deposit Schemes Down Under
Australia is renowned globally for its stunning wines, but for too long, many of our iconic wine bottles haven’t have the cleanest path to recycling. Unlike beer cans or soft drink bottles, wine glass was often left out for our effective Container Deposit Schemes (CDS), meaning more ended up in landfills or in less efficient kerbside recycling streams.
But good news is swirling! A significant shift is underway, promising a more sustainable future for our beloved wine industry and beyond.
The Glass Ceiling is Breaking: Wine Bottles Join the 10c Refund Club
The biggest change? Wine and spirit bottles are now being progressively included in state and territory-based CDS programs across Australia. This means that, like other eligible containers, you’ll soon be able to return your empty wine bottles for a 10c refund, ensuring they are recycled efficiently and effectively.
Why is this such a gamechanger?
- Infinite Recyclability: Glass is truly circular material. It can be recycled endlessly without losing its quality. A wine bottle returned today can be washed, crushed into “cullet”, and melted down to become a brand-new bottle in as little as 30 days.
- Energy and Resource Savings: Manufacturing new glass from cullet requires significantly less energy than creating it from raw material like sand, sod, ash and limestone. This reduces our carbon footprint and conserves precious natural resources.
- Reduced Landfill Waste: Millions of wine bottles currently contribute to landfill waste. By incentivising returns, we dramatically delivery this valuable material, extending the life of out landfills and reducing environmental impact.
- Purer Recycling Streams: Glass returned through CDS facilities is typically cleaner and separated by colour, leading to highly quality cullet that can be used for new bottles. This is often more effective than mixed kerbside recycling where glass can break, contaminate other materials, or can be difficult to sort.
- Local Economic Benefits: Increased glass collection and processing can stimulate local recycling industries, create jobs and foster a more robust circular economy within Australia.
Where Are We Now? A State-by-State Look:
- Queensland: Leading the Charge! Queensland’s “Containers for Change” Scheme already accepts wine and spirit bottles, showing the rest of the country how it’s done.
- Western Australia: Next in Line! From July 1, 2026, WA’s “Containers for Change” program will expand to include wine and spirit bottles. Get ready, Western Australia!
- New South Wales & South Australia: On the Horizon! While exact dates are still being confirmed, both NSW’s “Return an Earn” and SA’s well-established CDS are actively working towards including wine and spirit bottles, with anticipated rollouts in 2027.
What Can You Do?
Whether your state has already made the switch or is preparing for it, every bottle counts!
- Know Your Scheme: Familiarise yourself with your state’s Container Deposit Scheme
- Save You Bottles: Don’t just toss them! Set aside your wine bottles for return.
- Spread the Word: Educate friends, family and colleagues about the upcoming changes and the benefits or proper glass recycling.
This is an exciting time for sustainability in Australia. By making a small change in how we manage our empties, we can collectively make a huge impact on our environment and support a thriving circular economy for generations to come.