Putting A Price On Rubbish

Governments are increasingly committing to a circular economy - an economy that aims to maximise the use of resources by reducing, reusing and recycling materials. Many governments have developed container refund schemes (also called container deposit schemes) as part of their circular economy policies. Most Australian states and territories now have a scheme, with Tasmania and Victoria to introduce theirs in 2023.

Container refund schemes work by changing consumer behaviour

Container refund schemes aim to reduce litter and increase recycling by changing people's behaviour. The schemes use financial incentives to achieve this - by offering consumers 10 cents for each container they return to a designated depot rather than littering or putting in the garbage.