Plastic Bottle Recycling in Australia: What Your CDS Accepts

🗓️ Last updated: March 2026

Plastic bottles are one of the most commonly returned container types in Australian container deposit schemes. Both PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene) bottles are widely accepted, though the specific beverages covered can vary slightly between states.

What Plastic Bottles Are Accepted?

Across all Australian states and territories, the following plastic bottles between 150 mL and 3 litres are generally accepted: PET bottles (water, soft drinks, juice, sports drinks, iced tea), HDPE bottles (flavoured milk, some juice varieties), and other plastic bottles carrying the 10c refund mark.

What Plastic Bottles Are Not Accepted?

Plain milk bottles (PET or HDPE) are excluded in all states except the Northern Territory (from mid-2026). Cordial and concentrate bottles are currently excluded in most states but are being added in the ACT (July 2026), WA (July 2026), NT (mid-2026), and SA (late 2027).

How Plastic Bottles Are Recycled

Returned plastic bottles are sorted by type, shredded into flakes, washed, and then processed into new plastic pellets. These pellets can be used to manufacture new bottles, clothing fibres, packaging, and other plastic products. PET bottles are among the most recyclable plastics, and bottle-to-bottle recycling is increasingly common in Australia.

Tips for Returning Plastic Bottles

Keep bottles uncrushed for reverse vending machines. Remove lids (most schemes require lids to be removed). Empty and rinse bottles briefly. Check for the 10c refund mark.

What About Plastic Items Your CDS Does Not Accept?

Container deposit schemes only accept beverage containers. Other plastic items like food packaging, beauty product containers, and household plastic items are not eligible. For these hard-to-recycle plastics, the BRAD (Banish Recycling and Diversion) program offers postal recycling collections.

Learn more: Banish BRAD Program