Expanding the container refund scheme
Queensland’s container refund scheme (scheme), Containers for Change, aims to increase the recovery and recycling of beverage containers and reduce beverage container litter.
Queenslander’s now have more choices to help recycle glass wine and pure spirit bottles. From 1 November 2023, you can get a 10 cent refund on glass wine and pure spirit bottles when they are returned to a container refund point in Queensland. Or you can continue to place these containers in the kerbside yellow-lid bin where this service is provided.
Read more information on the container refund scheme.
Consultation overview
Over 6,600 respondents provided feedback on expanding the container refund scheme during the consultation process which was held from December 2022—February 2023.
Survey findings
A total of 5,335 responses were received via the online survey and a total of 1,268 templated survey responses were received by email.
The online portal survey results were:
- Overall expansion of the scheme: 99% are in support
- Glass wine bottles between 150ml and 3L: 98% are in support
- Glass pure spirit bottles between 150ml and 3L: 98% are in support
- Flavoured milk, pure vegetable and juice and water and wine aseptic packs up to 3L: 95% are in support.
The templated email responses were overall supportive of all proposed changes.
Written submissions
Both the community and stakeholders provided written submissions with their thoughts on the proposed changes.
Community
A total of 18 submissions were received, with these overall themes discussed:
- general positive comments
- need for further inclusions
- increase of incentives
- views on inclusion of wine bottles
- recycling centres.
Stakeholders
A total of 23 submissions were received and the sentiment towards the proposed change varied between supportive, on the fence and not supportive (mostly in relation to inclusion of wine and spirit bottles). These three main themes emerged with subtopics.
- Recycling
- circular economy
- further inclusions in the program
- impact on MRFs
- glass only kerbside bin
- proposed further actions
- Program considerations
- administrative burden and cost
- impact on industry and support
- differences across states and territories
- consideration for timing of expansion
- Engagement
- industry consultation
- proposed further education