Queensland government considers including wine containers in Containers for Change expansion

Large cask wine containers could soon be eligible for a 10c refund under new plans from the Palaszczuk government to widen the Containers for Change program. SEE WHAT ELSE COULD BE ADDED.

Wine cask cube.

Large cask wine containers could soon be eligible for a 10c refund under new plans from the state government to widen the Containers for Change program.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government will begin consultation on Tuesday over a previously foreshadowed proposal to expand the scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles.

The possibility of introducing wine in liquid paperboard packs of between one and three litres – including cask wine – will also be explored.

Queenslanders will also be asked if larger flavoured milk bottles, as well as pure vegetable and fruit juice containers of between one and three litres, should be included in the scheme.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the possible expansion of the container refund scheme would make it easier for residents to recycle.

Cask wine containers could soon be eligible for a 10c refund. Picture: Supplied

“From the perspective of Queensland’s fast-growing recycling industry, it also means beverage containers can be sorted and manufactured into new products quicker,” Ms Scanlon said.

“This is a great opportunity to expand a program that has supported hundreds of jobs, thrown millions of dollars behind local groups and seen the number of bottles being recovered and recycled in Queensland grow threefold.”

The government will launch an online survey on Tuesday that will run through to February 20 to give Queenslanders their say on the proposed expansion.

Flavoured milk containers of less than one litre can be cashed in for a 10c refund through the program – but anything above one litre is currently ineligible.

Certain wine-based, flavoured alcoholic beverage containers are also eligible – as are cask wine containers, but only if they are less than one litre.

All glass wine and spirit containers, meanwhile, are currently excluded from Containers for Change.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon. Picture: Supplied

Most aluminium, glass, plastic, and steel containers are accepted, but they must be greater than 150ml and less than three litres.

Acting chief executive of Container Exchange, Virginie Marley, said the program had given refunds for 24,000 different types of containers since the scheme kicked off four years ago.

“We look forward to the continued growth and expansion of the scheme, and encourage our customers, refund point operators, beverage manufacturers and community groups and charities to have their say online,” she said.

Since Containers for Change began in 2018, more than 5.7 billion containers have been recycled and refunded – returning $560m to the pockets of Queenslanders.

The program was started to give people an incentive to collect and return containers for recycling, which in turn also helps to reduce the mount of drink containers being littered.