| Law Name | Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011 [1] |
| Date Implemented | 1/3/2012 (last amended in 2017) |
| Beverages Covered |
Beverages ≤250mL [2]:
Beverages ≤1L:
Beverages ≤3L:
|
| Beverages Not Covered |
|
| Amount of Deposit |
10¢ AUD |
| Reclamation System | Approved Collection Depots |
| Handling Fee | Collection depots may be compensated for "reasonable costs" related to handling the containers by the CDS coordinator to whom they deliver the container. |
| Other Fees |
N/A |
| Unredeemed Deposits | Remains with producer/filler |
| Program Success |
(2019-2020) [3]:
(2018-2019) [4]:
(2016-2017, revised):
|
Details
Northern Territory's container deposit scheme began January 2012, becoming the second Australian jurisdiction to do so. Under the Northern Territory legislation, every container sold in the territory must be included in a Waste Management Agreement in accordance with the CDS coordinator guidelines [PDF]. These principles, which are deliberately designed to be as flexible as possible while encouraging the system's success, are established by the Minister of the Environment, separately from the legislation.
Shortly before the legislation came into effect, the Northern Territory signed an agreement with neighboring state South Australia, the first and only other Australian state to have a container deposit law. According to a 2011 press release, "The agreement is a commitment to work towards aligning their container deposit schemes with a view to allow people to get a refund on drink containers bought in either jurisdiction." [5] The agreement also addresses the issues of minimizing border fraud and increasing recovery and recycling while reducing litter.
In order to comply with regulations, all approved containers must have one of the following markings on the label [6]:
- "10c refund at collection depots/points in participating State/Territory of purchase"
- "10c refund at SA/NT collection depots in State/Territory of purchase"
- "10c refund at collection depots when sold in NT".
Footnotes
[1] ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND PLASTIC BAGS) ACT 2011 (NT).
[2] "Regulated Containers Factsheet." Northern Territory Environment Protection Agency.
[3] "Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011: Annual Report 2019-20." Northern Territory Environment Protection Agency. September 18, 2020.
[4] "Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011: Annual Report 2018-19." Northern Territory Environment Protection Agency. October 2019.
[5] "Historic agreement to coordinate recycling in SA and NT." Legislative Assembly of The Northern Territory. December 06, 2011.
[6] "Container Deposit Scheme." Northern Territory Environment Protection Agency. Last updated August 12, 2020.
Last updated on May 19, 2023.