Victorians are turning trash into treasure, saving 1 billion containers from landfill in the first 12 months of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic). That’s $100 million going back to the community, making it Australia’s most successful container deposit scheme in its first year of operation.
Charities and community groups have raised more than $950,000 through the CDS for grassroots activities across the state.
Since the scheme launched on November 1 last year, 54,981,507 drink containers have been returned across Greater Geelong’s CDS collection points alone, with $5,498,151 back in the community’s pockets. A further 59,106 drink containers have been returned across Queenscliffe’s CDS collection points with $5,911 back to the community.
Jim Round, CEO of scheme coordinator VicReturn, is proud of the community’s enthusiasm for recycling in the scheme’s inaugural year and he is confident CDS Vic will make an ongoing impact towards sustainability.
“The journey doesn’t stop here. We are committed to seeing the scheme go from strength to strength over the next 12 months and the years ahead.
“Across the state, we are working with community groups like Scouts and major sporting organisations like AFL Victoria and Tennis Victoria to ensure we reach as many Victorians as possible,” he said.
The scheme allows Victorians to return eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at 647 return points across the state. Containers are then processed to make new items, reducing waste and working towards a circular economy.
"Next time you return containers, wish our incredible depot operators and over-the-counter businesses a happy first birthday!" Mr Round said.
To mark this achievement, Victoria’s youngest environmental champions—our primary school students—are sending powerful messages through their 'Message in a Bottle' installation at Scienceworks. These messages, written inside 320 recycled bottles, remind us of the importance of recycling containers and how it shapes the future of our planet.
The interactive installation is on display until 27 January next year. Visitors can also bring their own used containers for return at the onsite Reverse Vending
Machine (RVM) in the Scienceworks carpark.
To find out more about CDS Vic and locate your nearest refund point, visit cdsvic.org.au.
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“In the Bellarine, we started with two reverse vending machines, and now a year later we have seven very busy container deposit locations across the Peninsula.”
“I am very proud of the Bellarine community for how involved they have become in this new recycling opportunity, with many local community groups and sporting clubs utilising the scheme to raise funds for their organisation while learning about the importance of recycling and supporting the environment.”
