The state government will expand its container deposit scheme, with the “return and earn” program set to include wine casks and bottles and other large bottles.
The government has opened community consultation on the scheme’s expansion, which it claims will result in an extra 400 million eligible bottles recycled each year.
A return and earn sorting facility in Sydney’s west.Credit: Quentin Jones
“The scheme expansion would boost recycling rates, reduce landfill and supercharge our push towards a circular economy in NSW,” said Environment Minister James Griffin in a media release on Saturday.
Beginning in 2017, the scheme has seen more than eight billion containers deposited, $35 million donated to charity, $800 million in refunds and a reduction in drink container litter of 52 per cent, the government says.
It currently accepts beer, cider and other small beverage containers; under the proposed changes, it will also include wine bottles, wine casks, spirit bottles, cordials and bottles of up to three litres.
Community consultation ends on December 2.