Canberra Adding Wine Bottles to 10-Cent Recycling Scheme

Wine lovers in Australia's capital are about to get a little cash back with every bottle they finish.

Canberra is expanding its popular container deposit scheme to include wine bottles, spirits, and large juice containers starting mid-2027. The program already accepts most cans, some glass and plastic bottles, and small juice boxes for a 10-cent refund per item.

The expansion means Canberrans will be able to return millions more containers for cash. The government estimates 8 million additional containers will be recycled in the first year alone, jumping to 13 million annually after that.

Since launching in 2018, the scheme has already rescued 440 million containers from ending up in landfill. That's two out of every three drink containers sold in the territory, according to Exchange for Change, which coordinates the program.

The change will keep an extra 400 tonnes of recyclable material out of waste dumps each year. But the benefits go beyond just environmental wins.

The Ripple Effect

The recycling scheme has donated nearly $300,000 to local charities and community groups through container returns. When people choose to donate their refunds instead of collecting them, that money goes directly to organizations making a difference.

The 18-month lead time before the expansion launches gives producers time to update their labels and systems. It also allows the program to align with similar expansions happening across Australia.

New South Wales and South Australia announced last September they'd add wine and spirits to their schemes by mid to late 2027. Western Australia plans to expand its program even sooner in July 2026, while the Northern Territory will make changes by August 2027.

Environment Minister Suzanne Orr said the timing ensures everyone can prepare properly. "It's giving people a chance to adjust," she explained. Producers need time to meet new labeling and reporting requirements, and consumers need education about what's now eligible.

The federal government recommended last year that all Australian states and territories work together to harmonize their container deposit schemes. This coordinated expansion is a step toward making recycling simpler and more consistent across the country.

Fewer bottles in landfills means less waste polluting the environment and cleaner public spaces for everyone to enjoy.