- WA's popular containers deposit scheme to include wine and spirit bottles from 1 July 2026
- More than 4.5 billion containers collected since the scheme launched in 2020
- Expansion expected to add 200 million more eligible containers a year to scheme
The Cook Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to expand the highly successful Containers for Change program, with wine and spirit bottles to be accepted by mid-2026.
The expansion has been fast-tracked in recognition of Western Australians' strong support for the program which is reducing waste, boosting recycling efforts, supporting community groups and creating hundreds of local jobs.
With the inclusion of wine and spirit bottles from 1 July 2026, almost all beverage containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres will be accepted at Containers for Change refund points across Western Australia.
In addition to glass wine and spirit bottles, the expansion will include:
- wine packaged in plastic;
- sachets and casks;
- water packaged in casks;
- concentrated fruit and vegetable juices; and
- flavoured milk and cordial.
Plain milk and registered health tonic containers will remain excluded from Containers for Change and should be placed in the yellow-lidded recycling bin at home.
Since its introduction, Containers for Change has increased the recycling rate in WA and diverted tonnes of recyclable materials from landfill.
Before the introduction of Containers for Change in October 2020, the recycling rate for beverage containers was 35 per cent - this has now increased to 65 per cent.
As of 31 July 2025, more than 4.5 billion containers have been collected for recycling and diverted from landfill.
This expansion is expected to see an estimated 200 million additional containers become eligible for refund annually, including 90-130 million glass bottles.
Glass bottles already have the highest return rate of all material types at 80 per cent.
In the 2023-24 financial year alone, approximately 39,000 tonnes of glass collected through refund points was recycled into new bottles.
Containers for Change has proven to be a game-changer for community fundraising with many Western Australians choosing to donate their refunds.
It has led to more than $16.7 million being donated to more than 8,200 registered charities, schools and community groups participating in the program across WA.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"My government is committed to protecting and restoring our environment, and an important part of this is reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
"Western Australians have strongly embraced Containers for Change, saving billions of containers from landfill and generating millions of dollars for local charities and community groups.
"By expanding this popular program to include wine and spirit bottles we are making it easier to recycle - opening the scheme to an estimated 200 million additional containers each year.
"With more than 840 jobs created through the Containers for Change program to date, this expansion will help diversify our economy and create more employment opportunities for Western Australians."
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"Expanding Containers for Change to include wine and spirit bottles delivers on our continued commitment to cutting landfill and keeping valuable resources in WA's circular economy.
"The expansion also enables social enterprises, community groups and schools to collect more containers and raise money through the refund scheme.
"We are building on a proven program that boosts recycling outcomes but also supports jobs and local fundraising."
As stated by WARRRL Chief Executive Officer Tim Cusack:
"WA Return Recycle Renew welcomes and supports this announcement on the future inclusion of new 10 cent containers into our container deposit scheme.
"We will be working with all our stakeholders over the coming months to ensure we are operationally ready for the expansion in mid-2026.
"Refund points will notbe accepting any new 10 cent containers until the launch date.
"In the meantime, we encourage the community to continue to dispose of their containers in the relevant household bin, as per the WasteSorted guidelines."
