RESOURCES
Queensland Bottle Bill
Everything you need to know about the container deposit system in Queensland, Australia, including eligible containers, refund values, and collection locations.
Program Information
Name
Containers for Change, established under the Waste Reduction and Recycling (Container Refund Scheme) Amendment Regulation 2018.
Date Implemented
Launched on 1 November 2018.
Reclamation System
Managed by Container Exchange (COEX), a not-for-profit organization appointed by the Queensland Government. As of 2025, the scheme includes over 350 container refund points across the state, comprising reverse vending machines, over-the-counter sites, and automated depots.
Fees
Beverage suppliers fund the scheme through per-container scheme prices (varying by material type), a fixed annual scheme coordinator fee for administration, a compliance fee paid to the Queensland Government, and a 10-cent processing refund to MRFs for containers collected via kerbside recycling. Specific fee amounts are not publicly disclosed.
Unredeemed Deposits
Retained by the scheme to fund operations and system improvements.
Eligible Containers
Queensland's Containers for Change scheme accepts most beverage containers between 150mL and 3L. Here's what you can return for a refund:
Aluminum Cans
Leave tabs on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 12.8¢ | 10¢ |
Plastic Bottles
Caps on, labels on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L PET Bottles | 13.5¢ | 10¢ |
| 150mL – 3L HDPE Bottles | 13.5¢ | 10¢ |
Glass Bottles
Caps on, labels on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 13.9¢ | 10¢ |
Liquid Paperboard
Caps on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 13.9¢ | 10¢ |
Steel Cans
Keep labels on, lid inside can
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 13.9¢ | 10¢ |
What's Not Accepted
Size Restrictions
Containers smaller than 150mL or larger than 3L.
Plain Milk
Plain milk containers of all sizes including plant-based milk substitutes.
Cask Wine & Cask Water Containers
1L or greater.
Flavoured Milk Containers
1L or greater.
Pure Fruit & Vegetable Juice Containers
1L or greater.
Cordial or Vegetable Juice Containers
Sweetened, flavoured, fruit-based syrup.
Health Tonics & Supplements
Medicinal or therapeutic beverage containers. Includes drinks sold as supplements or remedies.
Non-Beverage Liquids.
Containers for non-drink liquids. Cleaning fluids, oils, and household chemicals—even in drink-like packaging.
Unmarked Containers
Containers without the 10¢ refund mark.
Program Performance
Queensland's Containers for Change has delivered strong environmental and social benefits:
| Category\Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Absolute Recovery Rate | 67.4%+3.4% | 64%+1.0% | 63%+3.0% | 60%+27.0% | 33%+15.0% | 18% |
Relative Recovery Rate | 87.5%+0.5% | 87%+0.4% | 86.6%+0.5% | 86.1%-1.6% | 87.7% | 87.7% |
| Aluminium Cans | 85% | 82.3% | 79.5% | 76.2% | 72.8% | 68.5% |
| Plastic Bottles | 80% | 77.1% | 74.2% | 70.5% | 66.3% | 61.5% |
| Glass Bottles | 75% | 71.8% | 68.6% | 64.8% | 60.2% | 54.5% |
| Paperboard Cartons | 70% | 66.3% | 62.8% | 58.5% | 53.2% | 46.8% |
| Steel Cans | 65% | 61.5% | 58.2% | 54.3% | 49.5% | 43.2% |
| Other Containers | 60% | 56.3% | 52.8% | 48.5% | 43.2% | 36.8% |
References:
Regulations & Resources
Key legislation and resources for Queensland's container deposit scheme:
Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (QLD)
Provides the overarching legal framework for waste management in Queensland. It authorizes the establishment and governance of the Container Refund Scheme.
Waste Reduction and Recycling (Container Refund Scheme) Amendment Regulation 2018
Details operational rules for the scheme, including eligible containers, refund amounts, labeling, and administrative requirements.
Mutual Recognition (Queensland) Regulation 2009 – Amendment for Container Schemes
Allows Queensland’s scheme to function without conflict under interstate trade laws by modifying the application of the Mutual Recognition Act.
Queensland Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy
Strategic framework for waste reduction in Queensland
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