Western Australia has announced an expansion of its Containers for Change program, set to take effect from 1st of July 2026. The change will extend refund eligibility to include wine and spirit bottles, as well as several additional beverage container types, bringing WA in closer alignment with other Australian states and territories.
Since launching in 2020, there have been significant improvements in recycling behaviour. The WA Government anticipates that the expansion will continue to help reduce waste to landfill, improve recycling rates and simplify recycling choices for consumers.
From mid-2026, consumers will be able to claim the 10 cent refund on a wider range of beverage containers (150 mL to 3 L), including:
- Glass wine and spirit bottles
- Cask and sachet packaging for wine and water
- Fruit and vegetable juice, flavoured milk, and cordial containers
Plain milk and registered health tonics will remain excluded. The expansion is expected to make around 200 million additional containers eligible each year, including 90 to 130 million glass bottles.
For beverage suppliers, the expansion brings new regulatory and operational responsibilities. Producers of wine and spirits will be required to:
- Register eligible containers under the scheme
- Apply approved refund marks and barcodes to labels
- Contribute to the refund pool through supplier payments
Suppliers will need to ensure compliance ahead of the 2026 start date to avoid supply disruptions. Businesses are encouraged to review labelling, packaging design, and approval processes early to ensure readiness for the expanded scheme.
Our team can help you navigate the compliance process, from assessing packaging eligibility and label review to preparing documentation and supplier submissions.
Contact us for tailored support ahead of the 2026 expansion.
