Which countries have deposit return schemes?
Over 60 regions around the world operate a deposit return scheme (DRS) for recycling of drinks containers such as cans and glass/plastic bottles. These include 19 European countries, all Australian states, Singapore in Asia, 10 US states and nearly all of Canada. Regions such as Spain, Moldova, and Scotland, England and Wales in the United Kingdom are set to introduce deposit schemes for recycling in the coming years. Read below for a full list of deposit return systems. A deposit return scheme helps combat litter and waste (especially plastic waste), increase the recycling rate, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and drive a circular economy. Deposit return schemes are a proven approach to increase drink container return rates toward recycling, with deposit systems achieving up to 98% return of eligible beverage containers; no other waste collection system comes close to such results.
Calls are increasing for other countries to follow suit, with the United Nations Environment Program in 2017 encouraging nations to implement deposit return systems for drinks container recycling. The European Union's Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation requires member states to set up a deposit return system by 2029 to achieve 90% separate collection rates for single-use plastic and metal drink containers.*
Country/state deposit return schemes and their features
Every deposit return scheme for beverage containers recycling is set up separately, so each country or state has different guidelines on the deposit/refund value and which drink containers are eligible. Below is a list of countries/states with a legislated deposit return scheme for single-use beverage containers, some of which also include reusable containers. (Other regions also operate DRSs for reusable drink containers, and these are typically non-legislated, producer-run programs.) The list includes the eligible containers and deposit value.
Locations are listed by continent/region; countries that have states with different deposit return schemes for recycling are listed by country. Click the arrow beside the geography name to expand the list.
- Singapore: All pre-packaged beverages sold in plastic and metal containers ranging from 150ml to 3L in size. Deposit value SG$0.10.
- Australian Capital Territory: Sealed, ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol drinks including flavored milk, juice, water, soft drinks and beer, in plastic (HDPE, PET), metal (aluminum, steel), glass and liquid paperboard containers, sized 150ml to 3L. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- New South Wales: Sealed, ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol drinks including flavored milk, juice, water, soft drinks and beer, in plastic (HDPE, PET), metal (aluminum, steel), glass and liquid paperboard containers, sized 150ml to 3L. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- Northern Territory: Flavored milk, pure juice, water in aseptic packs/casks, and some wine-based drinks, in containers up to 1L. Carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated soft drinks (including but not limited to: fruit/juice based drinks containing <90% juice, sports drinks, juice based drinks containing <90% juice, sports drinks, vitamin drinks, energy drinks, ready-to-drink cordials), water that is not in an aseptic pack/cask, beer/ales/stouts/cider, spirit-based drinks, and some wine-based drinks, in containers up to 3L. Plastic (HDPE, PET), aluminum, glass, liquid paperboard. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- Queensland: Sealed, ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol drinks in plastic (PET, HDPE, other), metal (aluminum, steel), glass, and liquid paperboard containers, sized 150ml to 3L. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- South Australia: Grape wine in aluminum cans or plastic bottles in containers up to 250ml. Pure fruit/vegetable juice (containing ≥ 90% fruit juice and/or vegetable juice) and flavored milk, in containers up to 1L. Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, fruit drinks, water, cider and non-grape wines and spirits in non-glass containers, and beer, in containers up to 3L. Plastic (HDPE, PET), aluminum, glass and liquid paperboard. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- Tasmania: Non-concentrated fruit or vegetable juice, flavored milk, beer, soft drink and mixed spirits, in PET, cans, glass and small cartons. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- Victoria: Sealed, ready-to-serve drinks including soft drinks, bottled waters, small flavored milk drinks, beer and cider, sports drinks and spirit-based mixed drinks, in plastic (HDPE, PET), metal (aluminum, steel), glass and liquid
paperboard containers, sized 150ml to 3L. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- Western Australia: Sealed, ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol beverages including pure fruit or vegetable juice (≥90% pure juice), flavored milk, fermented milk product, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks and flavored water (including energy drinks, fruit drinks, sport drinks, kombucha, vitamin drinks), plain water, cider, beer/ale/stout, spirits, wine and wine-based drinks, in plastic, metal (steel, aluminum), glass and liquid paperboard containers, sized 150ml to 3L. Deposit value AU$0.10.
- Alberta: Sealed alcohol, cannabis and non-alcohol drinks, in plastic (PET, HDPE, other), metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, gable top, aseptic, pouches and bag-in-box containers, sized up to 50L. Deposit value CA$0.10 for containers up to a 1L and CAD$0.25 for containers over 1L.
- British Columbia: All sealed, ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol beverages in plastic (including polystyrene cups), metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, gable top, aseptic, pouches and bag-in-box containers. Deposit value CA$0.10.
- Newfoundland & Labrador: Sealed, ready-to-drink non-alcohol and alcohol drinks (includes milk product alternatives labelled as both a fortified plant-based beverage and not a source of protein), in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, gable top, aseptic, pouches and bag-in-box containers, sized up to 5L. Deposit value CA$0.05-0.20 depending on material/beverage.
- New Brunswick: Sealed, ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol drinks including water and flavored water, fruit and vegetable juices, soft drinks, drinks with dairy not labelled as milk, unfortified plant-based drinks (eg, almond, rice), fortified plant-based drinks labelled as “not a source of protein,” sports drinks, nutritional supplements not labelled as “meal replacements” or “formulated liquid diets”, beer, wine, spirits, low-alcohol drinks and cannabis drinks, in plastic (PET, HDPE, PP, PS, LDPE, other), metal (aluminum, steel), glass, gable top, aseptic, bag-in-box, plastic cups with foil lids and pouches, sized up to 5L. Deposit value CA$0.05-0.20 depending on material/beverage.
- Northwest Territories: All sealed, ready-to-serve drinks including non-alcohol (soft drinks, energy drinks, water, juices, and milk and liquid milk products) and alcohol (wine, spirits, beer) drinks, in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, aseptic, pouches, gable top and bag-in-box containers. For milk and liquid milk products over 30ml, and other beverages in any size. Deposit value CA$0.10 for containers up to a 1L and CA$0.25 for containers over 1L.
- Nova Scotia: All sealed, ready-to-serve non-alcohol (juice; health, energy and diet drinks; soft drinks; water) and alcohol (wine, spirits, beer) drinks, in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, gable top, aseptic and pouches, sized up to 5L. Deposit value CA$0.05-0.20 depending on size/beverage.
- Ontario: Alcohol beverages (eg, beer, wine, spirits, cider, ready-to-drink cocktails), non-alcohol beverages excluded. In plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, gable top, aseptic and bag-in-box containers, sized over 100ml. Deposit value CA$0.10-0.20 depending on size/beverage.
- Prince Edward Island: Sealed, ready-to-drink non-alcohol (juices; sport, energy and diet drinks; soft drinks; water) and alcohol (wine, spirits, beer) beverages, in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, gable top, aseptic, pouches and bag-in-box containers, sized up to 5L. Deposit value CA$0.05-0.20 depending on size/beverage.
- Quebec: All ready-to-drink beverages including alcohol (beer, wine, spirits, cider) and non-alcohol beverages (soft drinks, fruit drinks, juices, flat and sparking waters [flavored or not], dairy or plant milk), in plastic, metal (aluminum, bimetal), glass, bio-based and multi-layered containers, sized 0.1-2L. Deposit value CAD$0.25 for glass over 500ml, CA$0.10 for all other containers.
- Saskatchewan: All sealed, ready-to-serve alcohol and non-alcohol drinks including water, soft drinks, tea, juice, milk and drinkable dairy products, beer, wine and spirits, in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal, tin), glass, gable top and aseptic containers, in all sizes. Deposit value CA$0.10-0.40 depending on size/material.
- Yukon: Sealed, ready-to-serve alcohol and non-alcohol beverages including wine, spirits, beer, milk (flavored/unflavored, and liquid milk products such as cream, buttermilk, eggnog), milk substitutes (eg, rice, soy, almond or coconut milk), drinkable dairy products, juice, soft drinks, coffee drinks and liquid coffee flavoring and fruit smoothie drinks, in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, gable top and aseptic containers, sized over 30ml. Deposit value CA$0.05-0.35 depending on size/beverage.
- Barbados: Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, mineral water, soda water, beer and malt drinks, in plastic (PET, HDPE, LDPE), metal (aluminum, steel), glass and cartons, sized up to 3.8L. Deposit value US$0.05-0.15 depending on material.
- Belize: Carbonates soft drinks, beer and other malt drinks, in plastic, metal (aluminum, steel) and glass containers, sized up to 3.79L. Deposit value BZ$0.05-0.15 depending on size/material.
- Austria: All sealed beverages including beer and beer mixes, alcoholic beverage mixes, cider and other fermented beverages, juices and nectars, soft drinks, waters, wines and spirits, in plastic and metal (aluminum) containers, sized 0.1 to 3L. Deposit value €0.25.
- Croatia: All alcohol (beer, wine, hard liquor) and non-alcohol drinks (including juices, waters, soft drinks, milk and dairy products, etc), in plastic (predominately PET), metal (aluminum, steel) and glass containers, sized over 0.2L. Deposit value €0.10.
- Denmark: Ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol beverages including beer, carbonated drinks (soft drinks with an alcohol content up to 0.5%), fermented drink products other than wine and alcohol drinks made from fruit (such as cider with an alcohol content <10%), mixer products (spirits, wine or other fermented <10%), mixer products (spirits, wine or other fermented products mixed with other drinks such as soft drinks, cider or juice), mineral water, water, lemonade, iced tea, syrup and juice, in plastic (predominantly PET), metal (predominantly
aluminum) and glass containers, sized less than 20L. Deposit value 1-3 DKK depending on size/material.
- Estonia: Soft drinks, water, juice, juice concentrates, nectars, beer, cider, perry, low-alcohol (≤ 6% alcohol content) drinks, in plastic (PET), metal (aluminum, steel) and glass containers, sized 0.1 to 3L. Deposit value €0.10-0.40 depending on size/material.
- Faroe Islands: Ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol beverages including beer, carbonated drinks (soft drinks with an alcohol content up to 0.5%), fermented drink products other than wine and alcohol drinks made from fruit (such as cider with an alcohol content <10%), mixer products (spirits, wine or other fermented <10%), mixer products (spirits, wine or other fermented products mixed with other drinks such as soft drinks, cider or juice), mineral water, water, lemonade, iced tea, syrup, juice and spirits in plastic, metal and glass containers. Deposit value 2 DKR for containers up to 1L, 4 DKR for containers 1L or more.
- Finland: Almost all soft drinks, water, beer, cider, sport drinks, juice and beverage concentrates, and liquor/spirits/wine sold by Alko, in plastic (predominantly PET), metal (aluminum) and glass containers, sized 0.1 to 3L. Deposit value €0.10.
- Germany: Water (mineral, spring, table and medicinal waters and all other drinkable waters carbonated and non-carbonated), carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks (eg, lemonades, fizzy drinks, iced tea, milk substitutes such as oat milk, soy milk, etc), milk and mixed milk drinks and other drinkable milk products, fruit juices and vegetable juices, non-carbonated fruit and vegetable nectars, carbonated fruit spritzers, dietary drinks exclusively offered to infants or young children (if packaged in cans), dietary drinks not exclusively offered to infants or young children (regardless of material), sparkling wine/prosecco as well as sparkling drinks made from non-alcohol or reduced-alcohol wine, wine (if packaged in cans or plastic bottles), beer (including non-alcohol beer), other alcohol products and alcohol drinks (including de-alcoholized mixed drinks), in plastic (predominantly PET), metal (aluminum) and glass containers, sized 0.1-3L. Deposit value €0.25.
- Greenland: Ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol beverages including beer, carbonated drinks (soft drinks with an alcohol content up to 0.5%), fermented drink products other than wine and alcohol drinks made from fruit (such as cider with an alcohol content <10%), mixer products (spirits, wine or other fermented <10%), mixer products (spirits, wine or other fermented products mixed with other drinks such as soft drinks, cider or juice), mineral water, water, lemonade, iced tea, syrup and juice in plastic, metal and glass containers. Deposit value 2 DKK.
- Hungary: All ready-to-drink or concentrated beverages, in plastic, metal and glass containers, sized 0.1-3L. Deposit value HUF 50.
- Iceland: Ready-to-drink alcohol and non-alcohol drinks, in plastic (predominantly PET), metal (aluminum) and glass containers, in all sizes. Deposit value 20 ISK.
- Ireland: All drinks (except milk or other dairy-based products), in plastic (PET) and metal (aluminum, steel) containers, sized 150ml to 3L. Deposit value €0.15 for containers 150-500ml, €0.25 for containers 501ml-3L.
- Latvia: Carbonated and non-carbonated non-alcohol drinks (eg, drinking water, mineral water, lemonade, energy drinks, iced teas, juices, nectars, syrups), beer, other mixed ready-to-drink beverages with an alcohol content ≤15%), in plastic (PET), metal, (aluminum, steel) and glass containers, sized 0.1-3L. Deposit value €0.10.
- Lithuania: Beer, beer cocktails, cider and other fermented drinks, mixed alcohol and non-alcohol drinks including water, soft drinks, juices, nectars, fruit wine and fruit-wine-based drinks, fruit-wine cocktails (only when sold in plastic and metal packaging), in plastic (PET), metal (aluminum, steel) and glass containers, sized 0.1-3L. Deposit value €0.10.
- Malta: Water and flavored water, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, ciders, beers, and other malt drinks, ready-to-drink coffee, flavored alcohol drinks with an alcohol content up to 5% and dilutables, in plastic (PET), metal (steel, aluminum) and glass containers, sized 0.1-3L. Deposit value €0.10.
- The Netherlands: Water, soft drinks and juice (voluntary) in plastic (predominantly PET) containers. Water, soft drinks, juice, dairy, beer (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and moderately alcoholic drinks (eg, cider and breezers) in metal (aluminum and steel) containers. Sized up to 3L. Deposit value €0.15 for containers up to 1L, €0.25 for containers 1L or more.
- Norway: All beverages, in plastic (predominantly PET), metal (aluminum, tinplate), sized 0.125-4.9L. Deposit value 2 NOK for small containers, 3 NOK for large containers.
- Poland: Plastic bottles up to 3L, and metal cans up to 1L. (Reusable glass bottles up to 1.5L will be included from 1 January 2026.) Deposit value 0.5 PLN for plastic bottles and cans. (1 PLN for reusable glass bottles.)
- Portugal: Beverages such as water, juices, soft drinks,
beer and other non-alcoholic drinks sold in plastic bottles (PET) and
aluminum/steel cans, up to 3L in size. Deposit value €0.10.
- Romania: Beer, beer mixes, alcohol beverage mixes, cider, other fermented drinks, juices, nectars, soft drinks, water (all types), wines and spirits, in plastic, metal and glass containers, sized 0.1-3L. Deposit value 0.50 RON.
- Slovakia: Beverages including mineral water, sweetened beverages, fruit juices, iced teas, energy drinks, beer, wine and mixed alcoholic beverages, in plastic (PET, HDPE, PP, etc) and metal containers, sized 0.1-3L. Deposit value €0.15.
- Sweden: All ready-to-drink beverages including beer, cider, soft drinks, bottled water, fruit syrup and juice products, in plastic (PET) and metal (aluminum, steel) containers, sized 0.19-3L for plastic and 0.15-0.95L for metal. Deposit value 2 SEK for small containers and 3 SEK for large containers.
- Israel: All beverages, in plastic (PET), metal and glass containers, sized 0.1-5L. Deposit value 0.3 ILS.
- Republic of Seychelles: All beverages in plastic (PET) and metal (aluminum) containers. Imported beer, wine, and spirits in glass bottles. Deposit value 0.5-2 SCR depending on material.
- Kosrae: All beverages, in plastic (PET), metal (aluminum) and glass containers, in all sizes. Deposit value US$0.07/$0.05.
- Pohnpei: All beverages, in metal (aluminum) containers, in all sizes. Deposit value US$0.06/$0.05.
- Republic of Kiribati: All beverages, in plastic (PET), metal (aluminum) and liquid paperboard containers, in all sizes. Deposit value AUD$0.05/$0.04.
- Republic of the Marshall Islands: All beverages, in plastic (PET), metal (aluminum) and glass containers, sized over 0.946L. Deposit value US$0.06/$0.05.
- Republic of Palau: All beverages, in plastic (all types), metal (aluminum, steel), glass and aseptic containers, in all sizes. Deposit value US$0.10/$0.05.
- Tuvalu: Mineral water (in PET bottles), sweetened drinks (in PET bottles and cans) and alcohol drinks (in cans), in plastic (PET), metal (aluminum) and glass containers. Deposit value US$0.10/$0.05.
- Yap: All beverages, in plastic (PET), metal (aluminum) and glass containers, in all sizes. Deposit value US$0.06/$0.05.
- California: Sealed, ready-to-serve beverages with alcohol content ≥7% by volume (beer and malt drinks, wine, wine coolers, spirits, distilled spirit coolers) and all non-alcohol beverages (carbonated and non-carbonated fruit drinks/water/soft beverages, sports drinks, coffee and tea beverages, 100% fruit juice, vegetable juice) in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal), glass, and bag-in-box/pouches/paperboard cartons (for wine and distilled spirits only), in all sizes. Deposit value US$0.05 for small containers, $0.10 for large containers, and $0.25 for containers of bag-in-box, paperback cartons, plastic or multi-layer pouches containing wine, distilled spirits, wine coolers, or distilled spirit coolers.
- Connecticut: Sealed, ready-to-drink carbonated beverages (ie, beer and other malt beverages, malt-based hard seltzer, malt-based hard cider, mineral waters, soda water, and other carbonated soft drinks) and non-carbonated beverages (any water [including flavored water], plant or nutritionally enhanced water, juice, juice drinks, tea, coffee, kombucha, plant-infused drink, sports or energy drink) in plastic, metal (aluminum, steel), glass and cartons. Sized 0.15-3L for carbonated beverages and 0.15-2.5L for non-carbonated beverages. Deposit value US$0.10.
- Hawaii: Beer, malt drinks, mixed spirits (<15% alcohol), mixed wine (<7% alcohol), all non-alcohol drinks (eg, soft drinks, water, juice, tea, etc) in plastic (PET, HDPE), metal (aluminum, bi-metal) and glass containers, sized up to 2L. Deposit value US$0.05.
- Iowa: Sealed, ready-to-serve beverages including beer, wine coolers, wine and liquor, carbonated drinks (including Kombucha), non-carbonated and non-carbonated mineral water, in plastic, metal and glass containers, in all sizes. Deposit value US$0.05.
- Maine: Sealed beer, ale or other drink produced by fermenting malt, spirits (including ‘nips’ [50ml (0.01 gal) liquor bottles]), wine, hard cider, wine coolers, soft drinks, non-carbonated water, and non-alcohol carbonated or non-carbonated drinks in liquid form and intended for human consumption, in plastic, metal and glass containers, sized up to 4L. Deposit value US$0.06.
- Massachusetts: Sealed beer, malt, carbonated soft drinks and mineral water, in plastic, metal (aluminum, bi-metal) and glass containers, sized up to 7.6L. Deposit value US$0.05.
- Michigan: Sealed beer/ale, soft drinks, carbonated and mineral water, wine coolers, canned cocktails, and malt drink of whatever alcohol content, in plastic, metal (aluminum/tinplate), glass, liquid paperboard or combination of these materials, sized up to 3.78L. Deposit value US$0.10.
- New York: Sealed carbonated soft drinks, soda water, carbonated energy drinks, beer and other malt drinks, mineral water (carbonated and non-carbonated), wine products [but not wine itself] and water that does not contain sugar (including flavored or nutritionally enhanced water), in plastic, metal (aluminum, steel) and glass containers, sized up to 3.78L. Deposit value US$0.05.
- Oregon: Containers 0.118-1.5L: coffee/tea (even if they contain milk), energy and sports drinks, fruit and vegetable juice (even if not 100%), juice smoothies, coconut water, non-alcohol wine, hard cider if alcohol content ≤8.5%, marijuana drinks, and protein shakes (unless marketed as a meal replacement), Kombucha, cocktail mixers. Containers ≤3L: soda (carbonated/sparkling drinks), beer and water. In plastic, metal (aluminum, steel) and glass containers, with size depending on content. Deposit value US$0.10.
- Vermont: Beer, wine coolers and other malt beverages, pre-mixed spirit cocktails, liquor and spirits, and carbonated non-alcohol beverages (soft drinks, sparking waters and juices, and carbonated sports and energy drinks), in plastic, metal (aluminum/tinplate) and glass containers. Sized over 0.05L for liquor, and any size for other beverages. Deposit value US$0.15 for liquor and spirits over 0.05L, $0.05 for other beverages.
Learn more about DRS
Deposit return scheme FAQ
How do container deposit schemes work?
Finding a reverse vending machine near me
