WA JOINS THE CDS PARTY: TIME FOR VICTORIA AND TASSIE TO RSVP

10 September 2025

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) has welcomed today’s announcement from Western Australia (WA) that they will be joining New South Wales (NSW), South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT) in expanding their Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to include wine and spirit bottles – and is calling on Victoria and Tasmania to stop sitting on the sidelines and join the celebration so Australia can finally achieve a nationally consistent scheme.

From 2027, NSW and SA residents will be able to get cash back for their favourite Shiraz or gin bottles. The NT is moving even faster, passing bold reforms to expand its scheme within six months. And now, WA has confirmed that from 1 July 2026, wine and spirit bottles will be included in its popular Containers for Change program, fast-tracking the expansion in response to overwhelming community support.

“NSW, SA, NT, and WA are proving that recycling is something worth raising a glass to, and we’re delighted to welcome WA to the CDS party,” said WMRR's CEO, Gayle Sloan.
“But let’s be honest, until Victoria and Tasmania come on board, they’re the party poopers holding back a genuine nation-wide toast.” 

WMRR is urging Victoria and Tasmania to step up and create a simple, nationally consistent CDS for all Australians. 

“We know Australians are passionate about recycling, and this reform is about making it easier, fairer, and more effective. With nationally consistent CDS settings, industry can plan with confidence, investment can flow, and we can deliver the clean, high-value recycled materials that are crucial to a circular economy,” Ms Sloan said.  

“Australia deserves one consistent scheme so that wherever you open a bottle – whether it’s a Coonawarra red, a Margaret River chardonnay, or a Tassie whisky – you can recycle it easily and know it’s going to good use.”