Spirit and wine bottles and ready-to-drink containers will be included in the Northern Territory Container Deposit Scheme under proposed plans to expand.
Joshua Burgoyne, Northern Territory Environment Minister, said extensive consultation over several years has shown strong support for broadening the scheme.
“Including wine and spirit bottles in the scheme will make a real impact on the environment,” he said.
“These changes will also boost the waste and recycling industry by encouraging more infrastructure investment and creating jobs, including in remote communities.
“We look forward to advancing the proposed expansion through continued consultation with key industry stakeholders.”
More than 20 commercial scheme collection depots currently operate across the Territory, from Greater Darwin to regional and remote areas, alongside many fundraising drop-off points run by charities, community groups, schools and sporting clubs.
Since the scheme began in 2012, more than one billion beverage containers have been returned across the state, returning $100 million back to Territorians.
The Waste & Recycling Industry Association (NT) Inc said the expanded scheme will deliver real benefits for the waste management industry.
“The diversion of glass containers out of kerbside/commercial collection systems into the Container Deposit Scheme will see not only greater recovery of glass, but improved recovery of other recyclables such as paper and cardboard that are often contaminated by broken glass,” a spokesperson said.
The launch of Tasmania’s container deposit scheme in May 2025 means every Australian state now has an operating scheme.
Queensland is the only state to include glass wine and spirit bottles, following its scheme expansion in November 2023.
There has been a push for other states to follow Queensland’s lead and expand the scope of containers accepted in the scheme.
In April 2024, Jeff Angel, Executive Director of not-for-profit Total Environment Centre, said: “It was introduced in Queensland about six months ago with no problems. I’m sure a lot of other states want to do it.”
The Northern Territory expansion will require amendments to the Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011 and regulations. Legislation will be introduced into Parliament later this year.
The changes will take at least six months after the Bill is passed, allowing time for industry readiness, smooth customer experiences at depots, and the rollout of systems to handle the wider range of containers and increased volumes.
In a second win for Top Enders, Burgoyne also announced the launch of Envirobank’s Clean Recycling Pickup Service which kicks off in Darwin in July 2025.
“Envirobank’s pick up service will make it easier than ever for Darwin residents to participate in the Container Deposit Scheme and earn their refunds,” he said.
For more information, visit: ntepa.nt.gov.au
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