The empty wine and spirit bottles piling up in Perth’s recycling bins are about to become worth something. From the first of July, glass wine and spirit bottles will be eligible for a ten-cent refund through Containers for Change, a big evolution since the scheme launched in 2020. The change brings almost every beverage container between 150 millilitres and three litres into the scheme.
“From 1 July 2026, Western Australians can claim a refund on almost every eligible beverage container sold in the State, making Containers for Change bigger and better than ever,” Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said.
“Containers for Change is delivering strong economic, social, and environmental benefits for Western Australia, encouraging recycling, reducing landfill, retaining valuable resources, and supporting jobs and community organisations across the State.”
By the government’s estimate, the expansion adds roughly 200 million extra containers to the system each year — a sizeable jump for a programme that has already collected more than 5.4 billion containers across the State.
What you can return, and when
From Tuesday, July 1st, if it holds a drink and sits between 150 millilitres and three litres, from Coke bottles to Pinot bottles, it’s probably refundable.
The body that runs the scheme says the network is ready to cope with the expected influx from expanding the types of bottles accepted. “The refund point network has worked tremendously hard to prepare for this milestone and we are proud to say the network is operationally ready to welcome the new containers from day one,” WARRRL chief executive Tim Cusack said.
You may not see the Containers for Change 10c mark on all bottles yet. New suppliers have a three-year window to update their packaging, so some newly eligible bottles won’t carry the familiar 10c mark straight away. However, just because there’s no mark on the label, it doesn’t mean you can’t exchange the bottle.
A number of wineries across WA have been vocal about the change, warning that the cost of the 10c refund will increase bottle prices and flow on to consumers, increasing the retail price of a bottle of wine by between $1.00 and $2.50.
The numbers behind the scheme
Containers for Change has shifted Western Australia’s beverage container recovery rate from 34 per cent to more than 65 per cent since 2020, and glass recovery now sits at 80 per cent. The scheme has also funnelled more than $21 million to charities, schools, and community groups through donated refunds, and supports 850 jobs across the State, including roles at small businesses and social enterprises, as well as work for people who face barriers to employment.
Swinbourn added. “Containers for Change delivers value across the community, from teaching children financial responsibility to supporting jobs for people facing barriers to employment.”
“It’s important to acknowledge Containers for Change is funded by industry, and we are working with new suppliers to support a smooth transition.”
