Recycling containers soon to become easier
Recycling beverage containers will soon become easier for Territorians, with the container deposit scheme set to expand next year to include any beverage container up to 3 litres, including wine and spirit bottles, and plain milk containers.
The scheme provides a well-established pathway for Territorians to recycle their beverage containers. Over 80% of containers sold in the Territory are returned through the scheme, providing the recycling industry with cleaner, higher value, pre-sorted materials.
Currently Territorians can claim 10 cent refunds through the scheme for empty beer, soft drink, juice and spirit-based beverage containers of three litres or less, and a range of beverage containers of up to one litre.
In mid-October the Northen Territory Parliament passed the Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Legislation Amendment (Expansion of CDS and Other Matters) Bill 2025. The amendments to expand the scheme will commence in about 6 months to ensure a smooth rollout, and industry readiness to accept additional containers from customers.
Extensive consultation over several years has confirmed high levels of support for the reforms. Following consultation, an additional amendment was made to provide a transitional period for new scheme entrants to include the 10-cent refund on container labels.
Expanding the scheme will increase the recovery of containers in the Territory, particularly in areas where kerbside recycling is not available. This will keep the containers out of landfill, help to reduce litter, encourage infrastructure investment and support jobs including in regional and remote communities.
The expansion of the scheme follows Queensland doing so in November 2023 and Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia will follow later.
The Circular Economy team is continuing to engage with scheme participants and key stakeholders, including interstate colleagues, to inform the implementation of the expanded scheme.
More information on the Container Deposit Scheme.
