Victorians can turn empty drink containers into meals for those doing it tough this winter through a new partnership between Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) and Foodbank Victoria.

Until mid-October, CDS Vic and Foodbank Victoria are teaming up to encourage people to donate their container refunds to food relief. Every five eligible drink containers donated can help create one meal for Victorians experiencing food insecurity.

Donations can be made by selecting Foodbank Victoria on the screen at a CDS Vic reverse vending machine, choosing the charity as a payout option in the CDS Vic app, or requesting that refunds be donated at over-the-counter refund points and depots.

Supporting the community

The partnership builds on the success of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, which has given more than 3.3 billion containers a second life while returning more than $330 million to Victorians – including over $3.7 million to charities and community groups.

“Victorians have already donated millions in container refunds to support charities and community groups through CDS Vic, showing the incredible community spirit behind the scheme,” said Matt Davis, CEO of scheme coordinator Vic Return.

“We’re proud to partner with Foodbank Victoria to give people another simple way to turn their recycling into meaningful support for fellow Victorians this winter.”

Food relief

Foodbank Victoria CEO Dave McNamara says the partnership makes it easy for Victorians to turn their empties into something that truly matters – meals for people doing it tough.

“With demand for food relief at a record high, simple actions like donating your 10-cent containers can create real change for the 76,000 Victorians who rely on Foodbank every single day,” he said. Foodbank Victoria feeds 76,000 people every day and provides more than 70 per cent of the state’s food relief. The charity has reported demand for food relief increasing 10 per cent in the past six months, with cost-of-living pressures continuing to impact many households.