Canberrans have returned 26 million containers since the scheme was introduced almost a year ago.

ACT Minister for City Services, Chris Steel, announced the opening of three new express points in IGA Farrer, IGA Evatt and Anglicare Phillip on Thursday.

Mr Steel also announced a new trial "Pod" drop off point at the Gungahlin Recycling Drop Off Centre, bringing the total number of return points to 17.

The scheme was labelled a mismanaged revenue-raiser after the program's recycling facility at Hume was shut down earlier this year.

"We want to increase the number of collection points over time,18 by the end of this financial year and then we'll look at rolling out extra containers deposit points in other parts of Canberra," Mr Steel said.

The new collection points where chosen for their convenience, targeting Canberrans on the way to work, heading towards group centers or shopping centres to encourage more people to participate in the container scheme.

"We know that Canberrans have a really high rate of recycling compared to other jurisdictions, they're more environmentally conscious. We want to increase the amount that is being recycled in our community." Mr Steel said.

With 15,000 containers per week dropped off during the trial for the Gungahlin Pod, Mr Steel said the scheme was critical for encouraging recycling in the community.

"We've seen all jurisdictions in Australia move towards introducing container deposit schemes because it such an important part of addressing the current waste crisis that we're facing in Australia as a result of China's national Sword Policy." Mr Steel said.

To use the new express model, residents will need to register and create an account, allowing them to bag and take containers to any express point and hand the bags over to their nominated bank account in the next few days.

In addition to the new drop off points, immediate cash refunds are available at the three ACT CDS depots in Fyshwick, Mitchell and Phillip.