New pricing announced for NSW Container Deposit Scheme supplier contributions

Exchange for Change (EfC) today announced the new fixed price per material type for supplier contributions that fund the Return and Earn NSW container deposit scheme, effective for 12 months for invoices issued from February 2024 to January 2025.

“Over the last 12 months, we have experienced strong growth in the volume of containers returned with conditions returning to normal following disruptions due to bushfires, floods and the pandemic in recent years,” said Danielle Smalley, CEO of Exchange for Change, scheme coordinator.

“Just last week, Return and Earn celebrated the major milestone of 10 billion containers returned through its 620 return points across NSW and $1 billion in container refunds back to the community,” she said.

The NSW scheme operates on a cost-recovery basis and does not make a profit.

Beverage suppliers pay a fixed price per material type to fund the scheme. Supplier contributions are calculated to cover the forecast costs of the scheme during the pricing period, with future pricing adjusted to factor in any surplus or shortfalls.

Each material type is priced individually based on expected return rates. On average prices across all material types have increased by approximately 4 per cent. After two years of reduced pricing due to lower redemption rates during COVID, the new pricing reflects a return to normal operations for Return and Earn.

“The 12-month pricing is based on the anticipated growth in redemption volumes for the upcoming pricing period and forecast costs. We’ve conducted robust modelling, engaged with beverage suppliers, and reviewed consumer research data to enable us to predict expected redemption volumes and costs for the period ahead,” said Ms Smalley.

Launched in December 2017, Return and Earn has fundamentally changed people’s behaviour and turned what was once considered waste into a valued resource. Eighty-one per cent of NSW adults have participated, with the majority doing so monthly.

For more information about the NSW scheme, how it operates and current pricing by material type, visit www.exchangeforchange.com.au. 

New NSW CDS supplier contribution pricing by material type: 

 MEDIA: Evonne McCabe 0438 459 524