Victoria’s container deposit scheme launches

The Victorian government has today (1 November) launched Victoria’s container deposit scheme, CDS Vic.

Victorian Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos opened the scheme, where people can now return their eligible drink cans, bottles and cartons for a 10¢ refund at refund points across Victoria.

The scheme is expected to generate more than 600 jobs statewide and turn used drink containers into new recycled products.

“Our new container deposit scheme is now open, which will reduce the amount of litter in Victoria by up to half, contributing to a more sustainable future, while putting money back in the pockets of hardworking Victorians,” says Mr Dimopoulos.

Reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter sites, and pop-up refund points will be the four ways people can return their eligible containers.

Depending on the type of refund point, people can choose whether they want to receive the refund in the form of cash, a retail voucher, or an electronic refund. Victorians can also choose to donate their refund to a charity or community organisation registered with the scheme.

VicReturn is the Scheme Coordinator, while Zone Operators Return-It, TOMRA Cleanaway, and Visy will establish and oversee the refund points and refunds to customers, as well as ensuring proper recycling of the containers. The operators are each responsible for the refund point network in their allocated scheme zones: north, east and west.

Within nine months of the scheme starting, the Zone Operators will be required to have a minimum of one collection point per 14,500 people in metropolitan areas, at least one per town of 750 people in regional areas, and at least one per town of 350 people in remote areas.