Queensland Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)
What Retailers Need to Know!
The Master Grocers Australia Queensland Committee (MGAQ) which includes representatives from all key brands; FoodWorks, Friendly Grocers, IGA and SPAR, have worked closely with the Queensland Government over the past two years to ensure a seamless introduction and to minimise costs and red tape burdens for retailers, associated with the launch of the QLD Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) on 1 November 2018.
In fact, thanks to Minister for the Environment, Hon Leeanne Enoch, the QLD Container Deposit Scheme launch was postponed from 1 July 2018 to 1 November 2018 to make sure the scheme would operate as intended at the lowest cost possible.
Minister Enoch’s’ promise of an extensive consumer awareness campaign has been conducted to help inform and educate consumers via a large-scale marketing campaign launched across metro and regional Queensland. This includes TV, radio, online video and social media. The aim of the campaign is to quickly build awareness and understanding of the scheme during the pre-launch phase, including the benefits to the QLD environment and community alike.
Please find below the relevant information and links containing the information you need to better understand the scheme and help answer any of your customer queries. Should member's have any further queries, please contact the MGA National Support Centre on 1800 888 479.
Commencement date
1 November 2018
Refund amount
All eligible containers will have a 10-cent face value refund and will carry a marking identifying them as eligible for a refund.
Beverage manufacturers
Beverage suppliers are responsible for covering the cost of the scheme. Any increase costs may be past onto the value of the container in part or in full and will be reflected on the invoice as a total cost of goods.
All eligible containers must be registered with Container Exchange (COEX)
Eligible containers
As part of the scheme, you can receive a refund for most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard beverage containers between 150ml and 3L
A number of drink containers are not eligible for a refund under the scheme.
These include:
- Plain milk containers
- Glass containers which have contained wine or pure spirits
- Large containers (1L or more) which have contained flavoured milk, pure juice, cask wine or cask water
- Cordial or vegetable juice containers
- Sachets above 250ml which have contained wine
- Registered health tonics
All containers that are smaller than 150mL and bigger than 3L will not be eligible for a refund.
Click here to see the full inclusion and exclusion list of containers.
How do I become a container refund point?
Request for proposal process to appoint container refund point operators closed on 5 March 2018.
Interested businesses and organisations (MGA members) that missed this deadline are invited to email Container Exchange at: tenders@containerexchange.com.au with their business details and location(s) to register their interest in future opportunities.
Throughout Queensland there are 230 collection point locations. To find the nearest collection points to your stores please click here.