{"id":122002,"date":"2026-05-08T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/?p=122002"},"modified":"2026-05-06T15:33:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T05:33:59","slug":"60k-in-cash-prizes-as-cds-vic-million-cents-comp-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/news\/60k-in-cash-prizes-as-cds-vic-million-cents-comp-returns\/","title":{"rendered":"$60k in cash prizes as CDS Vic ‘million cents’ comp returns"},"content":{"rendered":"

HERE’S another chance for Victorians to turn their recycling into real cash, with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) Win A Million Cents competition back for a second year.<\/p>\n

Running from 4 May to 14 June, the competition offers five chances to win $10,000 cash \u2013 or ‘one million cents’ \u2013 simply by returning eligible drink containers through the scheme.<\/p>\n

Like last year, one of the five lucky winners will score a bonus $10,000 to donate to a registered CDS Vic charity, school or community group of their choice.<\/p>\n

The competition rewards Victorians with one entry for every 50 eligible containers they return in a single transaction, whether they keep the refund or donate it to a CDS Vic charity partner.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Theresa Matthews from Our Haven Wildlife Shelter says the $10,000 donation prize will make a real difference, with dozens of rescued animals currently in care. Photo: supplied.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Last year’s winners returned containers in Geelong, Gippsland, Wodonga and Melbourne suburbs of Bayswater and Macleod, with the donation prize awarded to Our Haven Wildlife Shelter in Gippsland.<\/p>\n

When Our Haven’s Theresa Matthews received a phone call letting her know she had won $10,000, she was moved to tears.<\/p>\n

“It really meant the world to us because there’s lots of animals out there that need help, and it’s not always easy,” she said. “We have 25 joeys on bottles \u2013 it’s like having 25 babies!”<\/p>\n

Matt Davis, chief executive of scheme coordinator VicReturn, said the Win A Million Cents competition rewards Victorians for recycling while helping ease cost-of-living pressures.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Every 50 eligible containers returned in a single transaction earns an entry into the CDS Vic competition, where everyday recycling could pay off in a big way. Photo: supplied.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Victorians are embracing CDS Vic not only to build a more sustainable future, but because it puts money back in their pockets. Those 10c refunds can quickly add up,” Davis said.<\/p>\n

“At a time when households are looking for ways to stretch their budgets, the Win A Million Cents competition is a great incentive for even more people to get involved in CDS Vic.<\/p>\n

“This competition takes that a step further, with five chances to take home $10,000. With cost-of-living pressures at front of mind for a lot of Victorians, the prize money could make a real difference.<\/p>\n

“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is transforming the way we recycle, keeping billions of containers out of landfill while supporting families with everyday expenses like groceries and bills.”<\/p>\n

\"\"
RIGHT: Our Haven Wildlife Shelter receives a $10,000 donation through the CDS Vic “Win A Million Cents” competition, supporting the care of injured and orphaned wildlife. Photo: supplied.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

To date, more than 3 billion containers have been returned through CDS Vic, putting over $300 million back into pockets of Victorians.<\/p>\n

The competition is open to Victorian residents only.<\/p>\n

Entry details, terms and conditions, and the entry form are available at winamillioncents.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n

Find your nearest CDS Vic refund point at cdsvic.org.au<\/a><\/p>\n

\/\/SPONSORED CONTENT<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

HERE’S another chance for Victorians to turn their recycling into real cash, with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) Win A Million Cents competition back for a second year. Running from 4 May to 14 June, the competition offers five chances to win $10,000 cash \u2013 or ‘one million cents’ \u2013 simply by returning eligible […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":122003,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-122002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n$60k in cash prizes as CDS Vic 'million cents' comp returns - Ballarat Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Enter the CDS Vic competition for a chance to win $10,000! 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