Queensland container refund scheme launches scheme pricing framework review

Queensland’s container refund scheme is commencing a scheme pricing framework review to make participation in the recycling program easier for beverage manufacturers and boost the circular economy.

Container Exchange (COEX), the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, is inviting beverage manufacturers and industry peak bodies to take part in a six-week consultation and provide feedback on proposed changes to the state’s scheme pricing framework.

Topics for consultation that may 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, in particular smaller producers.
• Extending payment terms to enable beverage manufacturers to better align to industry standards and optimise cash flows.
• 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 industry.

COEX Chief Executive Officer Natalie Roach said the scheme pricing framework review aimed to improve scheme price stability and predictability, and optimise scheme efficiency.

“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,” Ms Roach said.

“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.”

The consultation process for the scheme pricing framework review will run from 9 June to 18 July 2025, with any resulting changes rolled out in early 2026.

There will be no adjustment to the scheme price for eligible beverage containers sold in Queensland from August 2025 to January 2026. COEX has not increased scheme pricing since August 2022.

Since the launch of Containers for Change in November 2018, Queenslanders have returned more than 10 billion containers for recycling through the container refund network and claimed more than $1 billion in 10-cent refunds.

Ms Roach said it was important for beverage manufacturers to have their say in the scheme pricing framework review so the environmental, social and economic benefits of the scheme could be amplified for all Queenslanders.

“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,” Ms Roach said.

“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.”

To have your say, visit the COEX scheme pricing consultation website.

Media contact:

m: 0408 915 422

e: media@containerexchange.com.au