Cans and Bottles Recycling Rules: What You Can and Can’t Return in 2025

Recycling in Australia has come a long way and in 2025, cans and bottles recycling continues to be one of the most effective ways to reduce landfill waste, cut down on pollution, and even earn a little extra cash. But not all containers are accepted under recycling refund schemes, and with different rules across states, it’s easy to get confused.

Whether you’re new to **bottle and cans returns or just want to ensure you’re recycling correctly, this guide breaks down what you can and can’t return in 2025**, by material, type, and state.

Why Cans and Bottles Recycling Matters in 2025

Australians use billions of drink containers every year. Without proper recycling, these containers end up polluting oceans, harming wildlife, and clogging landfills. That’s where Container Deposit Schemes (CDS) — like NSW’s **Return and Earn or Queensland’s Containers for Change** — come in.

These programs let you return eligible containers and get 10 cents per item, while helping keep Australia clean and green.

What You Can Return in 2025

Here’s a general list of items accepted across most states in Australia under CDS refund schemes.

✔️ Aluminium Cans

• Soft drink cans
• Energy drink cans
• Alcoholic beverage cans (beer, mixed spirits)

Tip: Crushed cans are accepted, but don’t crush them if the barcode is unreadable.

✔️ Glass Bottles (Non-Wine)

• Soft drinks
• Water
• Juice (if sold in glass)

Note: Must be between 150ml and 3L and labelled as eligible.

✔️ Plastic Bottles

• Water bottles
• Juice bottles
• Flavoured milk (small sizes)
• Sports and energy drinks

Avoid returning milk containers larger than 1L — they’re usually not eligible.

✔️ Liquid Paperboard Cartons

• Small juice or flavoured milk cartons (up to 1L)

Think of poppers and small milk boxes — these are generally eligible.

✔️ Steel Cans

• Some energy drinks or food-grade steel beverage containers

Always check the label: “10c Refund at Collection Depots/Points in Participating State/Territory of Purchase.”

❌ What You Can’t Return

Unfortunately, many people try to recycle items that aren’t eligible for a refund and that can slow down the process or cause them to miss out on money. Here’s what you can’t return:

✖️ Wine and Spirit Bottles

• Red, white, sparkling wine bottles
• Liquor bottles

These are currently excluded from all CDS programs.

✖️ Large Milk Containers

• Plastic milk jugs (1L or more)
• UHT or long-life milk cartons

Even though recyclable, they don’t qualify for the 10c refund.

✖️ Cordials and Concentrates

• Containers for syrups or drink concentrates

Typically ineligible due to low return rates and different packaging.

✖️ Glass Jars and Food Containers

• Jam, pasta sauce, coffee jars

Not drink containers = not eligible.

✖️ Paper Cups or Coffee Cups

• Not considered part of the beverage container stream.

State-by-State Container Deposit Scheme Rules

Each Australian state and territory runs its own version of the container deposit scheme, so eligibility can slightly vary.

New South Wales (NSW) — Return and Earn

• Most eligible drink containers between 150ml and 3L
• Look for the “10c refund” label
• Return and Earn NSW official site

Queensland — Containers for Change

• Similar eligibility to NSW
• Also allows donations to charities via recycling
• Containers for Change QLD

Victoria — CDS Vic (launched in 2023)

• Covers a wide range of drink containers, similar to NSW and QLD
• Drop-off points and reverse vending machines statewide
• CDS Victoria site

Western Australia — Containers for Change WA

• Includes steel and some cartons up to 1L
• WA Container Scheme

South Australia — Pioneer of CDS

• The oldest scheme in Australia (since 1977!)
• Accepts a broader range including some glass containers
• SA CDS

ACT, NT, and Tasmania

• ACT & NT run schemes similar to NSW
• Tasmania launched their CDS in late 2023
• Check specific eligibility on local government websites

Pro Tips for Hassle-Free Recycling

1. Check for the refund label If it doesn’t have the “10c refund” message, it’s probably not eligible.
2. Don’t crush bottles or cans Machines need to scan the barcode to confirm eligibility.
3. Rinse your containers Keeps the bins clean and reduces pests.
4. Sort containers by material Makes it quicker to drop off and easier to count.
5. Use return apps Like myTOMRA or Containers for Change app to find the nearest return point and track refunds.

What Happens After You Recycle?

Ever wonder what becomes of those bottles and cans?

• Aluminium: Turned into new cans — recyclable forever!
• Glass: Crushed and used in roads or new glass products
• Plastic: Converted into clothing, garden furniture, and packaging

By returning your containers, you’re not just saving the environment — you’re supporting a circular economy and creating local jobs.

Conclusion

Cans and bottles recycling is more than just tossing containers into a bin — it’s about knowing the rules, staying informed, and doing your part for a cleaner Australia. With the right knowledge, you can avoid common recycling mistakes, earn money, and make a real environmental impact.

So next time you finish a drink, don’t toss that bottle — check if it’s eligible, return it, and earn your 10 cents.