The Napthine government remains firm in its support of a national cash-for-cans recycling scheme, despite a warning from the drinks industry that it will add $3 to the cost of a slab of beer.

State and territory ministers were scheduled to decide this week whether to approve the hotly contested proposal for an Australia-wide scheme.

But the highly anticipated Council of Australian Governments environment meeting was called off over a clash with a Parliament sitting day, with federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt unable to say when the next meeting would be held.

Under a container deposit system, consumers would be given a 10¢ refund when they return a bottle or can to a depot, as is the case in SA and the NT.