In a major boost to recycling efforts, the state's nation-leading container deposit scheme is to be extended to include wine and spirit bottles.
Cordial and juice concentrate bottles will also be eligible for a cash refund under the expanded plan, which is also being rolled out in NSW and is set to come into effect by the end of 2027.
The container deposit scheme – which is now active in every state and territory – began in South Australia in 1977.
SA residents now return an average of 660 million drink containers every year, with the expansion of the scheme coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking program.
Each state’s recycling scheme has already seen billions of eligible bottles and cans recycled – tackling litter, reducing pressure on landfills and rewarding people for their recycling behaviours.
Now even more residents and businesses will benefit from the 10-cent refund for returning a wider range of bottles and containers.
The expansion across both states will see nearly half a billion additional beverage containers returned each year, saved from landfill and sent for recycling.
The phasing in of the new containers from late 2027 will give the wine and spirits industry time to adjust and allow collection points and systems to ramp up for the additional new containers.
Queensland has already integrated glass wine and spirit bottles into their container deposit scheme, while Western Australia has committed to expanding its scheme during the recent state election. The Northern Territory has also recently announced it will bring in legislation to expand its scheme.
As the states work together to implement these changes people are encouraged to keep recycling these containers through their kerbside bins.
