Turning trash into treasure

VICTORIANS have saved 1 billion drink containers from landfill in the first 12 months of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic).

That’s $100 million back in the community’s pockets, making it Australia’s most successful container deposit scheme in its first year of operation.

The scheme allows Victorians to return eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at more than 640 return points across the state. Containers are then processed to make new products, working towards a circular economy.

Before CDS Vic launched a year ago, drink containers were the second most littered item in Victoria. In just 12 months, the scheme is returning containers at a rate of one in three via CDS Vic refund collection points.

Charities and community groups have become involved in the scheme to raise more than $950,000 for grassroots activities across the state.

Alexandra Football Netball Club raised more than $14,000 towards club supplies, while Hamilton Bowling Club’s $5,300 funded a new green.

CDS Vic is part of the Victorian Government’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector.

CDS Vic is a product stewardship scheme, funded by contributions from the beverage industry.

Chief executive officer of VicReturn, the scheme coordinator, Jim Round is proud of the community’s enthusiasm for recycling in the first year.

“We are committed to seeing the scheme go from strength to strength over the next 12 months and the years ahead.

 

“We are working with community groups like Scouts and major sporting organisations like AFL Victoria and Tennis Victoria to reach as many Victorians as possible,” he said.

Zone operators Visy, Return-It and TOMRA Cleanaway, play a crucial role in making recycling accessible, efficient, and rewarding for all Victorians.

To find out more about CDS Vic and locate your nearest refund collection point, head to cdsvic.org.au.

 

 

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