Queensland’s container refund scheme is launching a scheme pricing framework review to allow beverage manufacturers to participate in the recycling program.
The not-for-profit organisation Container Exchange (COEX), which runs Containers for Change to boost the circular economy, will conduct a six-week consultation period, inviting beverage manufacturers to provide feedback on proposed changes to the state’s scheme pricing framework.
Topics for consultation to drive changes to the scheme pricing framework include:
- Introducing a zero-fee container threshold of 20,000 containers to ease the financial burden on all beverage manufacturers, particularly smaller producers.
- Extending payment terms to enable beverage manufacturers to better align with industry standards and optimise cash flow.
- Transitioning to a cost-reflective pricing model that accounts for the true cost of recycling different material types and promotes the circular economy.
- Setting a long-term pricing formula with automatic adjustments for CPI and recycling rates to provide transparency and greater certainty for the industry.
“We are working with beverage manufacturers and industry to ensure the scheme pricing framework continues to support our nation-leading container refund scheme and the circular economy,” said chief executive officer at COEX Natalie Roach.
“The scheme pricing methodology has remained largely the same since Queensland’s container refund scheme launched in 2018 and does not reflect the emerging challenges facing the industry.
“To ensure no container goes to waste it is important the scheme pricing framework consider a range of factors such as the recycling cost of different materials as well as the cost of not recycling the material at all.”
Since the launch of Containers for Change in 2018, more than 10 billion containers have been returned. With 10-cent refunds per container, Australians have claimed more than $1 billion.
According to Roach, beverage manufacturers have the opportunity to contribute to the environmental, social and economic benefits of the scheme.
“Before Containers for Change, just 18% of eligible beverage containers sold in Queensland were recycled. Now almost 70% of containers are recycled through the scheme,” Roach added.
“The scheme has also created more than 1,500 jobs, most of which are within the refund point network and provide many opportunities for people facing barriers to employment.
“A modern scheme pricing framework will provide greater certainty for beverage manufacturers, promote stronger circularity outcomes and support the container refund scheme in reaching its full potential.”
No adjustments to the scheme price will be made for eligible beverage containers sold in Queensland from August 2025 to January 2026.
The consultation process for the scheme pricing framework review will commence on 9 June and end on 18 July 2025.