Containers for Change has successfully increased the state’s resource recovery outcomes, and diverted billions of containers from landfill since its launch in 2020.
The popular scheme aims to increase recycling, reduce litter, create jobs and support fundraising for community groups, schools and charities. Instead of throwing empty drink containers away, people can return their bottles and cans to refund points and earn 10 cents per item – or donate their refund a good cause.
By collecting and recycling large volumes of glass, aluminium and plastic, Containers for Change supports a circular economy, keeping valuable materials in use.
Priority is given to high-value recycling such as turning glass back into new bottles, reducing landfill, cutting carbon emissions and supplying quality recycled materials to local industries.
Recycling delivers outstanding environmental and economic benefits. Glass can be recycled endlessly, avoiding CO₂ emissions and saving raw materials.
Recycling aluminium uses far less energy than making it from raw materials and reduces bauxite mining. Similar benefits arise from recycling PET plastic. Together, these outcomes support Western Australia’s waste strategy by improving resource recovery and reducing waste.
From 1 July 2026, the container deposit scheme was expanded to include almost all beverage containers between 150mL and 3L, making participation even easier. Collecting and returning eligible drink containers is a simple way for everyone to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable state, and a successful circular economy.
Containers for Change has delivered more than $20 million in donations to charities, community groups and schools – reaching the milestone of five billion containers recycled in January 2026. The state’s container recovery rate has increased from 34 per cent to more than 65 per cent - and more than 846 local jobs have been created - including in social enterprises; employing people with disability; and Aboriginal communities.
Read more about how the scheme enhances environmental, economic, and community benefits across Western Australia in this fact sheet.
Eligible containers
Drink containers between 150ml and 3L can be returned for a refund, including:
- wine
- spirits
- beer and cider
- sprit-based mixed drinks
- cordial, fruit and vegetable juices and flavoured milk
- soft drinks, sports drinks and water
Containers for plain milk, registered health tonics and food for special medical purposes remain excluded and should be placed in the yellow-lidded recycling bin at home. See the detailed list of eligible containers.
Useful links
The independent not-for-profit scheme coordinator is WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL). The coordinator is responsible for administering the scheme, including ensuring beverage suppliers make financial contributions, establishing a collection network, guaranteeing processing and recycling of containers and raising public awareness of the scheme. WARRRL provides information for beverage suppliers on scheme costs, annual and quarterly performance reports as well as the approved business plan for each financial year. Details of community and industry partners are also published.
Contact: email info@warrrl.com.au or call 13 42 42
Containers for Change has information on how to return eligible beverage containers for a refund, where to find a refund point, how to support a charity or cause and access to bags and bins and all the resources for community groups.
Contact: email info.wa@containersforchange.com.au or call 13 42 42
The container deposit scheme is regulated by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
How it works and what to do
Show moreHow do I collect my refund?
Take any eligible beverage containers to a refund point. Western Australia has the most accessible collection network in the country, with more than 300 refund points that continue to expand across locations from Kalumburu in the north, to Esperance in the south. Find a nearby Containers for Change refund point.
Most eligible beverage containers display the 10c refund mark on their label. However, some newly included products such as wine and spirits bottles may not yet show the refund mark because suppliers have additional time to update their labels.
This transition period will last at least three years, but a refund can still be collected for any eligible containers purchased on or after 1 July 2026.
Learn more about eligible beverage containers at Containers for Change - Container Eligibility.
How does the scheme work?
The scheme is an industry-funded, extended producer responsibility scheme.
This means beverage suppliers contribute to the recovery and recycling of their products by funding the operation of the scheme. It is managed by a not-for-profit scheme coordinator, appointed by the WA Government.
Beverage suppliers report the number of containers they have sold within the state and are billed by the scheme coordinator per container.
Suppliers are only charged for their share of the overall costs of the scheme. This includes the cost of the 10-cent refund on containers redeemed plus the operational costs such as refund point handling fees, logistics and processing costs.
Containers returned to refund points are sorted into material types and sent to various facilities for further processing. All materials from processors and materials recovery facilities are sold to approved recyclers to make into new products.
Revenue received from sales is reinvested to offset the cost of running the scheme.
What happens to returned containers?
Returning containers to a local refund point supports small businesses and creates jobs through the payment of handling fees for every container collected and sorted.
Some refund points are operated by charities and community groups to help fund important social and environmental programs.
All returned containers are sorted, processed and recycled and, by law, cannot be sent to landfill or incinerated. Each year, the publicly available WARRRL annual report lists the destinations for collected containers by material type.
The scheme has been successful to date in recycling around 80 per cent of all eligible glass bottles – the highest recovery rate for any material. Glass bottles collected from refund points are a clean, high-value product.
They are mostly processed in WA then sent to Orora Glass in South Australia to be made into new glass bottles. A small proportion of refund-point glass from the north of the state is used for construction in the region.
Aluminium is exported and smelted back into aluminium products at smelters.
Plastics are recycled back into bottles, food-grade containers and other manufacturing items.
Liquid paperboard containers, such as flavoured milk and juice cartons, are sent to a recycling facility in Europe and the costs associated with recycling are included in the costs for those beverage suppliers.
Will drink prices change?
Containers for Change is an extended producer responsibility scheme. This means the scheme is funded by beverage suppliers, including payment of the 10-cent refunds, handling fees, transport, processing costs and public education.
Suppliers may choose to pass these costs on to consumers, resulting in slight drink price increases. This small increase, however, is offset by the 10c refund and the community benefits from significant environmental gains, new jobs, reduced waste, lower carbon emissions and stronger recycling systems that support a more sustainable future.
The scheme coordinator calculates each beverage supplier’s contributions based on the number and type of containers supplied within the state, and the number of containers returned and processed. Scheme costs are calculated to operate the scheme and all funds collected must be used only for this purpose.
Information on scheme pricing set by the coordinator.
Can I still use my yellow-lidded bin for eligible containers?
Yes. You can still recycle most eligible containers at home in your kerbside recycling bin. Bottles and cans will be sorted and recycled into new products, however, returning containers through Containers for Change allows for higher value circular economy recycling; opportunities to support small businesses and social enterprises; and a way to earn or donate refunds.
Information for beverage suppliers
Show moreIf you are a manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, importer or retailer, and supply beverage products included in the scheme into Western Australia, you may be a first responsible supplier (FRS).
The first responsible supplier is the person (or company) who first supplies the beverage product in the state. This is defined in s.47D (1) of the Act.
For more information, refer to the Container approval guidance to assist first responsible suppliers to understand the application process
FRSs must enter into a supply agreement with the independent not-for-profit scheme coordinator, WA Return Recycle Renew Limited (WARRRL) and ensure their products have a valid container approval. WARRRL has developed guidance on who is a first responsible supplier.
It is an offence to supply eligible beverage products without a supply agreement, barcode, refund mark and container approval under s.47E of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 (the Act).
Note that transition periods apply for labelling requirements for new products like wine and spirits.
See below for more on transition periods.
What does a supply agreement cover?
The supply agreement for the scheme outlines the key responsibilities for an FRS such as:
- registering all eligible containers supplied to WA for container approvals
- providing historical sales volumes for the past 12 months
- submitting sales data
- ensuring all containers carry the 10¢ refund mark and a barcode
- making payments based on invoices issued by WARRRL.
How does an FRS register eligible containers?
Once the supply agreement is signed, a Scheme ID is issued by WARRRL.
A FRS must then apply for container approval through the WARRRL website.
WARRRL manages the process of referring the application to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for final container approval.
However, if a first responsible supplier checks the product registry during the registration process with WARRRL, and finds their product is already approved, they will not need to apply for a container approval.
Who needs to be involved?
All suppliers of eligible beverage products – now including wine and spirit producers – must take part in the scheme.
How much does the container deposit scheme cost for beverage suppliers?
Suppliers are only charged for their share of the overall costs of the scheme. This includes the cost of the 10-cent refund amount on containers redeemed, plus the operational costs such as refund point handling fees, logistics and processing costs.
The scheme coordinator calculates each supplier’s monthly contributions based on the number of containers by material type they supply to the state.
Suppliers are invoiced in arrears monthly, quarterly or annually, with the frequency depending on the supplier’s annual volumes.
Current pricing and the supply amount calculation methodology is available at Scheme Pricing - WA Return Recycle Renew.
Is my container approval from another state valid in WA?
No. WA approval is required to supply a container to the state.
How much does an application cost?
There is no fee for a container approval application.
How long does a container approval last?
Most container approvals have no expiry date, however, the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2019 allow for a container approval to be granted for a limited term.
How are container approval applications assessed?
When an application is lodged, the scheme coordinator will review it and advise the CEO of the Department. The main factor is whether the container material is capable of being recycled or reused in accordance with the requirements of r.3J, 3K and 3M of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2019.
It is important to note an eligible container that is technically recyclable must also have a means by which the container is able to be recycled. Considerations include:
- Can the container material be readily identified for sorting?
- If the container material (including the label and lid) cannot be identified and separated, will it contaminate the recycling stream?
- Is there a facility inside Australia or overseas (not covered by an export prohibition) that can crush/shred/separate or reprocess the container materials for recycling or reuse?
The CEO will consider WARRRL’s advice and may seek further information from the applicant or any other person to inform the decision about whether to grant an approval for the container. This may include information about the material’s recyclability.
What materials are likely to contaminate the recycling stream and what does it mean?
Some materials are not easily separated in recycling processes and may seriously degrade the quality of recycling streams. Prohibited materials which will not receive container approvals are listed in the Regulations. Any container made wholly or partly (including labels, lids and collars) from these materials will be prohibited to supply to WA:
- PVC
- PBS
- bioplastic like PLA
- biodegradable and degradable plastics
- ceramic
Containers made of mixed plastic and aluminium, sometimes known as PETCANs (a combination of PET plastic and aluminium cans) are also unlikely to gain approval. Learn more about PETCANS here.
How long will it take to get a container approval?
The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2019 set out maximum timeframes for container approval decisions (r.3I, 3J, and 3M).
The scheme coordinator will review the application and provide advice to the CEO of the Department within 10 business days. The CEO may seek additional information on the recyclability of the container. Once all requests for information have been complied with, the CEO must decide within 20 business days.
If the container is approved, the scheme coordinator must publish the details on the product register within five business days. If refused, the CEO must notify the applicant within 10 working days and provide the grounds for refusal.
How will I know if my container approval application is successful?
Container approvals are publicly available in the Containers for Change product registry. The CEO will notify the applicant directly if an application has been rejected.
Can I amend a container approval?
Yes. Under r.3NC and r.3ND container approval holders can request amendments – such as correcting product or container details – provided no approval conditions are being removed. The scheme coordinator and CEO will assess the request and seek input from others if needed.
Can I transfer a container approval to another person?
Yes. Under regulation r.30, you can transfer a container approval by submitting a form notifying the scheme coordinator, with signed consent from the new holder.
If the details are correct, the transfer takes effect 10 days after the register is updated. Both parties will be notified within five business days, and the current holder remains responsible until the transfer is complete.
Do I need a container approval for every new product I produce?
Yes, a product is the combination of the beverage and the container and any change to either requires a new container approval.
The assessment of wine and spirituous liquor products varies slightly because they are assessed by beverage class:
- Wine is a single beverage class including all types, varieties and vintages. A new approval is only needed when the container material or volume changes, not the kind of wine. For example, a winery producing several varieties such as shiraz, merlot and chardonnay in 750 ml glass bottles needs only one container approval. However, if the winery also produces a 375 ml glass bottle of shiraz, it needs a separate approval because the container volume has changed. The product consists of material type (glass), container size (750 ml) and beverage (any wine).
- Spiritous liquor: All types, styles and flavours of spirits are the same beverage class. If a distillery produces multiple gins (flavoured and unflavoured), as well as vodka and whisky all bottled in standard 700 ml glass bottles, only one container approval is required, however, if the distillery also produces a 200 ml glass bottle of gin, it needs a separate container approval because the container volume has changed. If the volume or material type of the container changes, a supplier will require an additional container approval.
How do I notify the scheme coordinator of a new barcode on my product?
Container approval holders must notify the scheme coordinator of a new barcode on their product by completing the standard approval form in the coordinator’s portal. During the transition period, containers may be approved without a barcode. Approval holders must complete the form, notifying the scheme coordinator of their new barcodes before the transition period ends.
Container barcodes must be unique to their beverage product class.
Can I appeal if my container approval application is rejected?
Yes. Section 47H of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 allows a first responsible supplier to apply to the State Administrative Tribunal for a review of a CEO decision on the rejection of a container approval.
Is my WA container approval valid in other jurisdictions?
No. You must check with other Australian jurisdictions on their specific requirements for a container approval or registration.
Does my container need a refund mark?
Yes. All states and territories with container deposit schemes use the same refund mark. A first responsible supplier commits an offence when supplying a beverage product in the state unless the container displays a refund mark that complies with the Regulations (s.47E(2)(c) of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007.
The refund mark must be displayed in a colour and size that ensure it is clear and legible. It is recommended that the numeral ‘10’ be a minimum of 3 mm in height with a minimum 3 mm ‘free space’ boundary around the refund mark. It must state, in clear and legible characters: 10c refund at collection depots/points in participating state/territory of purchase.
See below for more on labelling requirements and the transition period for new containers
Does my container need a barcode?
Yes. A first responsible supplier commits an offence when supplying a beverage product in the state unless the container displays a barcode that complies with the Regulations (s.47E(2)(c) of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007.
Beverage containers without a valid barcode will not receive a container approval.
The requirements for a barcode on every container are set out in r.3H of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2019.
Beverage products sold only in multipacks and not intended for individual sale must still display a barcode on each individual product as detailed in r.3H(4) and 3H(5).
See below for more on labelling requirements and the transition period.
Labelling requirements and the transition period for new containers
It is an offence under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 to supply a beverage in an eligible container in Western Australia unless the FRS has a supply agreement with the scheme coordinator; the container has been approved; and it bears the refund mark and a product barcode.
A transition period has been introduced for all new eligible containers, which allows suppliers to use existing stock with a long shelf life and container labels they have already printed. The transition period is 36 months (three years) and will end on 30 June 2029. After this date, all eligible containers must display the refund mark and barcode, unless they are eligible for the second transition period outlined below.
Second transition period for legacy and cellared wine and spirits
Wine and spirits are an aged product which may be bottled, labelled and stored for years before sale at the cellar door; direct to customers online; or through retailers.
In the Regulations, a cellared beverage transitioned container is a bottle made wholly or partly of glass; which contains only spiritous liquor or wine; and was stored before 1 July 2029; for the purpose of aging the liquor or wine before it is supplied.
In this instance, a 10-year exemption is in place for cellared beverage transitioned containers that:
- were bottled, labelled and stored prior to 1 July 2026, then brought out to be sold (supplied) after 1 July 2026; or
- were bottled, labelled and stored during the transition period while exempt from the labelling requirements, then supplied after 30 June 2029.
Container approval streamlining for glass and aluminium
Containers made wholly of aluminium or glass will be approved on registration with the scheme coordinator to streamline the process.
About 70 per cent of annual beverage sales are aluminium and glass containers, which are easily identifiable through both manual and automated sorting processes. Since these container types consistently meet container approval requirements, a simplified pathway was introduced to reduce approval timeframes for suppliers.
Approval for aluminium or glass containers is taken to be granted without further assessment by the Department, where:
- the container is made solely of aluminium or glass
- the required information is provided
- the coordinator is satisfied the information was complete and the label and barcode meet the integrity requirements of the scheme.
Reduced frequency of payment and reporting for micro beverage suppliers
To reduce the reporting burden on very small beverage suppliers (such as boutique wineries and small producers), those who supply less than 150,000 beverage products annually (micro suppliers) can pay and report annually, unless they elect to pay and report quarterly or monthly.
How to distinguish between cordial and syrup
Since syrups are not included in the scheme but cordials are, the following definition is used to distinguish between the two products:
- A syrup can be defined as a highly concentrated viscous liquid consisting predominantly of sugar or sugar derivative, intended for use as an ingredient, topping or sweetening agent to enhance other beverages such as coffee or tea, or foods such as desserts, whether or not it is also capable of being diluted.
- For syrups, sugar is the primary bulk component, it generally has non-fruit flavouring and is used an additive to another food or drink.
- Cordials are generally derived from fruit juices, fruit concentrates, botanical extracts, flavourings or a combination of these and consist predominantly of water and sold as a product to prepare a drink. As an example, Sodastream flavouring is considered a cordial, while Bickfords French vanilla coffee syrup is a syrup.
Exemptions for refillable containers.
Under the Regulations, a refillable container (also referred to as a growler) is not eligible for participation in the scheme. A refillable container is defined as a vessel that is designed to:
(a) be filled with a beverage and sealed
(b) be returned to the supplier for re‑filling and re‑sealing after the beverage has been consumed.
The Department must be satisfied that genuine refill and reuse initiatives are in place, and suppliers are making reasonable efforts to ensure containers are reused in practice. Additional guidance is available.
Legislation and Regulations
Show moreThe container deposit scheme Regulations can be viewed at
Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2019. The Regulations are established under Part 5A of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007.
The scheme commenced in WA on 1 October 2020 with objectives to:
- increase recovery and recycling of empty beverage containers
- reduce the number of empty beverage containers that are disposed of as litter or to landfill
- ensure that first responsible suppliers of beverage products take product stewardship responsibility
- provide opportunities for social enterprise and benefits for community organisations
- create opportunities for employment
- complement existing collection and recycling activities for recyclable waste.
Government oversight
Show moreProtocols
Under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2019, the CEO may prepare documents (protocols) that set out how certain container deposit scheme payments are determined.
The recovery amount protocol is the method of calculating the quarterly amount payable to material recovery facility operators for eligible containers collected and recycled under material recovery agreements.
The local government sharing protocol provides a default arrangement for ensuring payments for container deposit scheme material collected from kerbsides are shared reasonably between recovery facilities processing the material and the local governments where it originated.
The commercial and industrial recovery amount protocol is the method of calculating the quarterly amount payable to commercial and industrial material recovery facility operators for containers collected and recycled under the container deposit scheme.
The export rebate protocol sets out the methodology to be applied in determining the amounts payable to exporters under the container deposit scheme.
The Bottle crushing material recovery facilities – Approved methodology is the method of calculating the quarterly amount payable to bottle crushing service operators for eligible containers collected and recycled under material recovery (bottle crushing) agreements.
Minimum network standards
The minimum network standards set the base requirements for the location and distribution of container deposit scheme refund points and hours of operation. The standards seek to balance the number of refund points (consumer convenience) with scheme costs.
Relevant documents:
Minimum network standards review
Reporting code
The scheme coordinator is required to report performance data to the Minister and the public. The Reporting code: Reporting requirements for the coordinator specifies the information that the scheme coordinator is required to report in the annual report, the quarterly report and the monthly report, and on its website.
Regular reporting enables assessment of performance and achievement against the statutory objectives of the container deposit scheme and the statutory functions of the scheme coordinator under Part 3 Division 3 of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2019.
Guidance on regulating container deposit scheme sites
A guideline provides advice on how the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, and other key legislation administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, applies Containers for Change sites. It can be found at: Guidance for operators in the Containers for Change scheme in Western Australia.
Consultation (scheme commencement)
Show moreThe Department conducted consultation in 2018 to gather feedback from stakeholders and the community on the proposed container deposit scheme for WA. Written submissions and an online survey helped inform the Department’s analysis and the development of scheme recommendations to the Minister for Environment.
More information:
The Department commissioned market research to inform the introduction of the container deposit scheme, focusing on the type of refund point options which should be offered. The report was published in December 2018: Introducing a container deposit scheme in WA – key considerations for refund point options.
The consultation regulation impact statement (August 2019), provided a preliminary assessment of the scheme costs and benefits which was open for a four-week consultation period from 13 August until 10 September 2018. Twelve submissions were received.
The decision regulation impact statement (July 2019) amended the consultation regulation impact statement in several ways, including refined scheme objectives.
Consultation (scheme expansion)
Show moreIn 2023, the Department sought feedback on the proposal to expand the scope of the container deposit scheme.
A discussion paper (December 2022) was available on the Department’s consultation hub for review. A total of 25 written submissions were received.
The Department also received 2,709 responses to an online survey.
The Department also established a stakeholder advisory group with representatives from the beverage, retail, waste and recycling industries, local government and environment sectors. State and national representatives from the wine and spirit sector also participated to address design and operational issues associated with any potential expansion of the scheme. Three meetings were held online in May, June and July 2023 with an additional two sub-committee meetings to address specific issues related to material recovery facilities.
The Department held four independently-facilitated regional stakeholder workshops during April and May 2023, to inform the expansion of the existing container deposit scheme. These were held in Bunbury, Margaret River and the Swan Valley. A workshop for Albany participants was held online.
In 2025, the State Government (WA) announced that the container deposit scheme would be expanded from 1 July 2026, to include more eligible containers.
Draft amendment Regulations were prepared to support the expansion and improve administration.
A stakeholder advisory group was established, comprising representatives from beverage, wine, spirits, retail, resource recovery, local government and the scheme coordinator. Its role was to provide industry feedback on the regulatory amendments and advise on how operational elements of the scheme would be affected, offering practical solutions. The Department held three online stakeholder advisory group meetings on 1 Oct 2025, 24 Nov 2025 and 5 March 2026 to discuss proposed policy directions and regulation amendments, seeking the group’s feedback on implementing the proposed changes.
On 20 November 2025, the Department released the draft amendment Regulations and information paper for eight weeks of public consultation on the consultation hub website. Written submissions were accepted until the consultation period closed on 18 January 2026. A consultation summary report is available.
Interjurisdictional consultation on container deposit scheme expansion was facilitated by Elumni Projects Pty Ltd and NSW Environmental Protection Authority, where the expanding jurisdictions NSW, SA, WA and the NT contributed towards these discussions in 2025-2026. The online consultation was carried out in two separate rounds and by industry sector (wine, spirits and retail).
Additional reports
Show moreA baseline audit of eligible containers received at materials recovery facilities from local government kerbside recycling collections was conducted before the scheme commenced. The report is available: Container deposit scheme - Baseline audit report (March 2020)
In 2020, all Australian jurisdictions with a container deposit scheme agreed to conduct national research on behaviour change.
A summary report (March 2023) was published to provide the key findings and recommendations from the research.
The WA Planning Commission and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage prepared a position statement that set out how container deposit scheme infrastructure was to be considered and assessed in the Western Australian planning system. Planning Position Statement - Container deposit scheme infrastructure (Sept 2020) also provided guidance for proponents and decision makers on the location and implementation of scheme infrastructure.
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