The planet called – it wants your cans back

January 23, 2026 BY
Surf Coast container deposit

With nearly 200 convenient return points across the CDS Vic West Zone, returning your bottles and cans is a simple habit that can become part of your daily routine.

THE Surf Coast and Armstrong Creek are regions worth caring for, and Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) and West Zone operator TOMRA Cleanaway are calling on locals to show their pride and make a difference for our environment.

You don’t need to be a park ranger or environmental scientist to make a difference. One of the simplest ways you can help protect your streets, parks, and waterways is already in your hands: your empty drink containers.

Over the holiday period, Bellarine region residents and visitors returned more than 649,708 eligible containers through the CDS Vic network delivering more than $64,900 in refunds back to locals and supporting the scheme’s charity partners through donations.

It’s a fantastic effort CDS Vic and TOMRA Cleanaway encourages the community to keep it up.

Recycle. Donate. Repeat.

One of the simplest ways you can help protect your streets, parks, and waterways is already in your hands: your empty drink containers.

 

With nearly 200 convenient return points across the CDS Vic West Zone, including reverse vending machines (RVMs), depots and over-the-counter locations, returning your bottles and cans through the CDS Vic West

Zone is a simple habit that can become part of your daily routine.

You can donate your 10c refund to local legends doing good work across the region. Just download the CDS Vic West app, choose a charity that speaks to you, and your empties can help charities like:

Surf Coast Environment Group to restore Spring Creek Valley, and

Feed Me to deliver food relief

“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme doesn’t just help reduce waste, it lets you create real local change with every container,” TOMRA Cleanaway chief executive James Dorney said. “One small act can ripple outwards. Recycling is a little thing that adds up to a big difference.”

You can donate your 10c refund to local legends, like Cottage by the Sea, doing good work across the region.

 

Use the CDS Vic West App to:

Find your nearest return point

Track your impact

Choose and support a charity you care about

Every bottle counts. Every can counts. Every action counts.

Let’s build new habits that help our planet.

To find your nearest CDS Vic return point, head to tomracleanaway.com.au/victoria/location-finder

//SPONSORED CONTENT

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