Western Australians are getting behind the Containers for Change program in droves and it is not costing unreasonably more at the checkout, price monitoring has confirmed.
The Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) has today released its draft report into the impact on drink prices, finding prices increased by less than it cost suppliers to participate in the Containers for Change scheme.
Containers for Change launched on 1 October 2020 and in the first six months the ERA estimates that resulting retail price increases were as follows:
- 10.5 cents per container for non-alcoholic beverages in metropolitan markets
- 7.6 cents per container for alcoholic beverages in metropolitan markets
The independent economic regulator said regional prices increased by a similar amount, taking into account fluctuations due to a smaller data set.
Reinforcing the success of the scheme, the report also shows WA's return rate in the March 2021 quarter was bigger than that achieved by NSW during their scheme's first year of operation.
The ERA will continue monitoring prices for the rest of the scheme's first year and will then make a recommendation to government about whether monitoring needs to continue.
As stated by Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The ERA's report confirms beverage companies are doing the right thing and have not unreasonably raised drink prices because of the container deposit scheme.
"This is welcome news and I thank the industry for their participation in Containers for Change.
"The report also once again shows just how well the Western Australian community has embraced the scheme, with a return rate in the March 2021 quarter that was bigger than that achieved by NSW during their scheme's first year of operation.
"This is an achievement to be celebrated and one West Australians can be proud of."
