NSW Container Deposit Scheme
Consumers
Under the NSW Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), people will be able to
return eligible beverage containers for recycling in exchange for a 10‑cent refund.
A network of collection depots and reverse vending machines will open across
NSW to receive empty beverage containers and deliver the 10-cent refund.
When will the scheme commence?
The CDS will commence from July 2017.
How it works
Simply take your empty drink container to a collection depot
or place it in a reverse vending machine to receive your 10-cent
refund. A reverse vending machine looks like a standard vending
machine except it works in reverse – when you place an empty
eligible can or container into the machine, a refund will be issued.
Collection depots will be set up across NSW to take back
empty beverage containers and pay your refund.
Which containers are included?
Most drinks sold in containers between 150mL and three
litres will be included. The easiest way to find out if your
container is eligible for a deposit will be to check the label
– all eligible beverage containers will be clearly marked.
The CDS targets the beverage containers we most commonly
see in litter, unlike drinks such as milk, wine and spirits which
are usually consumed at home.
Containers that do not qualify for a refund include:
»» plain milk (or milk substitute) containers
»» flavoured milk containers one litre or more
»» pure fruit or vegetable juice containers one litre or more
»» glass containers for wine and spirits
»» casks for wine or casks for water one litre or more
»» sachets for wine 250mL or more
»» containers for concentrated cordials and concentrated
fruit/vegetable juices
»» registered health tonics
Only containers marked with the approved label, purchased
in NSW after the scheme begins, will be eligible for a refund.
This helps the manufacturer cover the cost of transporting
empty containers to recycling facilities, paying the depot/
reverse vending machine operators and issuing the 10-cent
refunds. It is expected that the cost to the average household
that does not redeem any deposits will be about $30 per year.
Recycling at home
You can still opt to put containers into your home recycling
(yellow) bins. Eligible containers in the kerbside recycling
will be able to be redeemed. The redemption mechanisms
and the distribution of the refund and handling fees will be
determined by the Implementation Working Group, which will
be established by the NSW Environment Minister. This will result
in savings that are likely to help councils improve their waste
services and pass reduced council rates on to householders.
What else is the government doing to reduce litter?
The NSW Government is committed to reducing the volume
of litter by 40 per cent by 2020. Beverage containers account for
44 per cent of the volume of all litter found in NSW, which adds
up to nearly 160 million beverage containers littered every year.
The NSW Government supports a range of initiatives to tackle
litter in NSW, including the Hey Tosser! public awareness
advertising campaign, grants to councils and community
organisations to tackle litter and enforcement activities.
For more information, visit epa.nsw.gov.au/litter.
How many containers can I return at one time?
As many as you like. To protect the integrity of the scheme,
anyone seeking a refund for more than 500 containers at
once will need to provide proof of identification and make
a declaration that the returned containers were purchased
in NSW after the commencement of the scheme.
How will the scheme be funded?
The 10 cents is likely to be included in the product price.
For more information, visit
epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/container-deposit-scheme.htm
EPA 2016/0278 May 2016