Recycling scheme on the way

Victoria will join the rest of the country in adopting a Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) this November, as part of landmark waste and recycling reforms.

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt announced the start date for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, CDS Vic, on Friday 14 April, and named the organisations that will be responsible for delivering the scheme.

“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons being recycled into new products, put extra cash in Victorian pockets and will reduce the amount of litter in our environment by half,” Ms Stitt said.

“CDS Vic will be Australia’s most accessible and convenient container deposit scheme, with more than 600 refund collection points across the state.”

VicReturn will be the Scheme Coordinator and Visy, TOMRA Cleanaway, and Return-It will be Network Operators.

CDS Vic will allow Victorians to return their used drink cans, bottles, and cartons for a 10-cent refund. This will reduce Victoria’s litter by up to half, create new economic opportunities, generate 645 jobs, and turn drink containers into new recycled products.

The scheme will also offer charities, community groups, environmental groups, sporting clubs and educational organisations new ways to raise funds, by allowing them to receive container donations, run a refund collection point, or host a container collection drive.

Within 12 months of the scheme starting, the network 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.

The scheme is one part of the State Government’s $515 million investment to reform Victoria’s waste and recycling sector.

For more information, visit www.vic.gov.au/container-deposit-scheme.