The Australian Beverages Council is heavily involved in the development and implementation of Container Deposit Schemes across Australia.

Currently the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia have Container Deposit Schemes. Tasmania has announced its scheme model which is expected to launch in 2024.

What is a Container Deposit Scheme?

Container Deposit Schemes [CDS] also known as Container Refund Schemes [CRS] or Deposit Return Schemes [DRS] are an example of product stewardship legislation in which the beverage industry takes responsibility for the recovery and recycling of empty beverage containers. CDS are part of an environmental management strategy that reduce the number of beverage containers that enter our environment or landfill, increase recycling rates and create a clean waste stream to drive a circular economy.

The Australian Beverages Council Ltd [ABCL] has contributed to the design of Container Deposit Schemes across Australia and remains committed to ensuring all schemes provide the lowest cost to consumers, generate jobs, facilitate community-wide participation, reduce landfill and litter and create conditions which underpin a circular economy.

The ABCL supports efficient, industry-driven initiatives and schemes. It is our belief that only the beverages industry can deliver low-cost schemes, deliver the most benefits to community groups and have the least impact on manufacturers of all sizes while ensuring consumers are provided with convenient and easy-to-use container return points.

To learn about ideal scheme attributes, please click here.

CDS Information for Industry

The ABCL disseminates information to members via monthly newsletters, committee forums and through a dedicated industry taskforce. If you wish to know more about CDS or have any questions, please reach out to the ABCL at info@ausbev.org.