Did you know that schools, sports clubs, and community groups can turn empty drink containers into real cash or donation credits? By participating in the Container Refund Scheme (CRS), every eligible container returned earns a 10c refund—and increasing this to 20c could double the benefits for your community.

The scheme not only boosts fundraising opportunities but also helps reduce litter, increase recycling rates, and support local jobs and recycling industries. With more containers included, easier access to return points, and clean, high-value materials for recycling, communities across Australia are already seeing significant financial and environmental rewards.

This page explains how the Container Refund Scheme works, why expanding it matters, and how your group can make the most of it—financially, socially, and environmentally.

How can schools, sports clubs, or community groups benefit financially from collecting containers?

By returning eligible drink containers, groups receive the refund (10c each) as cash or donation credits. A 20c refund will double community benefits. 

If the refund goes up to 20c will I bear the cost as the consumer?

Not a deposit. the 10 cent producers can charge consumers when buying a container drink  is fully refundable when the container is returned. There is no cost increase to consumers if the refund increases as long as containers are returned for recycling.

Where does the money come from to fund the container refund scheme?

First suppliers (beverage companies) initially fund the scheme: they pay per eligible container to cover refunds and operating costs; unredeemed deposits and material revenues also help offset costs, depending on the state. 

Is the Container Refund Scheme the same as Extended Producer Responsibility? 

CRS is a form of product stewardship/EPR for beverage packaging, producers take responsibility for what they put on the market—but “product stewardship” can include other products like batteries..

Why should we up the 10c refund  to 20?c

Lifting it to 20c would align better with high-performing deposit systems overseas and is expected to push return rates towards 90% above the current 65%, reducing litter and boosting recycling revenues for communities.

How does expanding the scheme reduce litter and plastic pollution?

Including more container types and making returns more convenient raises redemption rates and cuts litter fast, studies show container litter drops by ~60% soon after refund schemes launch. More clean, source-separated material also enables true bottle-to-bottle recycling. Boomerang Alliance is pushing for expansion so we can capture more containers and cut more waste.

How much waste is expected to be diverted from landfill with the expansion?

While the exact tonnage depends on what is eligible , states see sharp increases in recovered glass, aluminium and PET after expansions (e.g., QLD’s inclusion of wine/spirits lifted glass recycling). Higher deposits and broader eligibility move many millions more containers away from landfill into recycling each year.

How will this expansion benefit local communities and charities?

More eligible containers = more fundraising potential and local “cash-for-containers” drives. NSW reports large, recurring donations to charities via Return & Earn; Victoria’s first 8 months generated over $62.8m in refunds, with community partners baked in

Does the scheme create jobs or support local recycling industries?

Yes. Collection networks, logistics, processing, and remanufacturing create local jobs. Nationally, several thousand new jobs have been created. 

Will more refund points or collection sites be introduced?

Generally, yes, expansions typically come with more refund points and better access (e.g., RVMs, depots, bag-drops). NSW already lists 600+ sites, and states continue to add locations as volumes grow. Boomerang Alliance is campaigning for more convenient refund points so everyone can take part.

How is the scheme regulated to make sure it works fairly?

Each state legislates its scheme and appoints a coordinator who may also manage the collection network or there is a separate network operator (eg, NSW, Vic, Tas). EPAs oversee approvals, audits, pricing reviews and fraud prevention. Annual statutory reports detail performance, finances and risk controls (e.g., NSW report).

What happens to the containers after they are collected?

They’re sorted, compacted and sold to recyclers; most become new bottles/cans or other products. CDS improves quality due to less contamination compared to kerbside) which is crucial for closed-loop, bottle-to-bottle outcomes. Every scheme is mandated by law to recycle the containers so less ends up landfilled as is the risk with kerbside. 

How does Australia’s scheme compare to other countries?

We now have schemes in every state/territory, but average return rates trail leaders like Germany and the Nordics, which use higher deposits and denser networks. That’s why many advocates want a 20c deposit and more access points. Boomerang Alliance is advocating for this increase to help Australia catch up with the best-performing global schemes.

Why were some containers excluded before, and why are they being added now?

Schemes began with the most litter-prone “on-the-go” formats. Wine/spirits and other categories are now being added as infrastructure scales up and markets for the material strengthen. Plain milk has typically been excluded due to low litter rates and at-home consumption.

How is the container refund scheme different from the Vic dedicated kerbside glass bin? 

CDS targets drink containers and pays you a refund; kerbside collects many materials but doesn’t pay per item. CDS material is typically cleaner and higher value, helping close the loop into new beverage containers.  Many Vic councils want the refund scheme to handle the glass containers. 

Are all states and territories going to expand their schemes?

All jurisdictions now have a scheme (Tasmania launched 1 May 2025). Most are in various stages of expanding eligible containers and increasing access points. Eventually they should all have the same eligibility rules. 

Will other containers, like milk, be included? And bottle tops? 

Plain milk (including plant-based) is currently excluded in most states, though flavoured milk under 1L is often eligible, policy reviews may revisit this. For bottle tops: follow your local guidance (in NSW, leave caps on; they’re recycled with the bottle). Boomerang Alliance is actively advocating for bottle tops to be included as eligible items in future expansions of the scheme.

Are recycling companies supporting container refund expansion? 

Yes. They want more of the bottles and cans so they can expand their contribution to the circular economy.