VicReturn announces container price for Victoria’s container deposit scheme

Victoria’s new container deposit scheme, CDS Vic, will reward Victorians with a 10¢ refund for every eligible can, carton and bottle they return.

Under the scheme, first suppliers (beverage manufacturers and importers) share responsibility for the sustainable management of their containers. As with schemes in other states, first suppliers pay for the cost of operating the scheme to recover eligible containers.

CDS Vic commences on 1 November 2023, and as of yesterday (13 July), first suppliers have been advised of the scheme price per container.

As Scheme Co-ordinator, VicReturn sets the scheme price, invoices first suppliers and makes payments to scheme participants to enable the collection of eligible containers. The costs of running the scheme will change over time as it’s established and Victorians take up the opportunity to get cash back. VicReturn says it will provide the market with sufficient notice of changes to container pricing as the scheme matures.

The Victorian government has introduced CDS Vic to help reduce litter and waste, improve recycling rates, create new economic and employment opportunities across Victoria and deliver a cleaner state.

VicReturn says it will work closely with the Victorian government and the three network operators (zone operators) to deliver the “most convenient, accessible” container deposit scheme in Australia.

CDS Vic’s costs (ex GST) per container for first suppliers will start at 11.05¢ for aluminium, 11.40¢ for glass, 11.15¢ for HDPE, 11.15¢ for PET and 11.50¢ for LPB, and 11.10¢ for other materials. These prices will be reviewed and updated by VicReturn as required to ensure that the cost of running the scheme is covered.

“The cost per container for first suppliers strikes a balance between making sure there are enough funds to pay scheme costs, including providing the 10¢ refund per container, while keeping the costs as low as reasonably possible for first suppliers,” says VicReturn CEO Jim Round.

“We will deliver an efficient, convenient and accessible container deposit scheme for Victorians.”

Scheme pricing