Western Australia advances container deposit scheme with wine, spirit bottles inclusion

AUSTRALIA – Western Australia’s government has announced an expansion of its Containers for Change program, set to incorporate glass wine and spirit bottles from July 1, 2026. 

This update will bring in an estimated 200 million additional containers annually, covering volumes from 150 milliliters to 3 liters. 

Other items joining the scheme include plastic wine bottles, sachets, casks, as well as containers for fruit and vegetable juices, flavored milk, and cordial.

Premier Roger Cook highlighted the program’s impact in a recent statement, noting that it has generated over 840 jobs since launching in 2020. 

He said the initiative has diverted billions of containers from landfills, with millions of US dollars returned to local charities and community groups. 

Cook added that residents have shown strong participation, easing recycling efforts across the state.

A report by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation indicates that the scheme has already processed more than 4.56 billion containers as of August 2025, including 39,000 metric tons of glass recycled in the 2023-24 financial year alone. 

This material feeds directly into new bottle production, maintaining a steady flow in resource recovery.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn emphasized the benefits for local initiatives. 

He stated that the expansion would allow community groups and schools to gather more refunds, supporting their operations through the 10-cent return per container. 

Swinbourn noted in a statement that this step keeps resources circulating longer, cutting down on landfill volumes.

The operator, Western Australia Return Recycle Renew, welcomed the change. 

CEO Tim Cusack said the company plans to collaborate with stakeholders to prepare operations by mid-2026, ensuring smooth rollout at refund points statewide.

In related developments, New South Wales and South Australia plan to add wine and spirit bottles to their schemes by late 2027, aiming to rescue an extra 500 million containers from waste streams yearly. 

Tasmania’s Recycle Rewards program, which began in May 2025, marks the completion of nationwide coverage for deposit return systems. 

Meanwhile, South Australia’s recent ban on fish-shaped soy containers targets single-use plastics to curb pollution in marine and land areas.

This push across states demonstrates growing momentum in beverage container recovery, with over US$16.77 million donated to more than 8,000 community participants in Western Australia alone. 

The expansions build on proven returns, fostering cleaner environments and economic gains for locals.

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