The Victorian government is set to implement the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) on 1 November as part of its landmark reforms for the state’s waste and recycling sector.
Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt announced the start date for CDS Vic and announced the organisations that will be responsible for delivering the scheme, namely VicReturn, TOMRA Cleanaway, and Return-It.
The scheme is aimed at reducing Victoria’s litter by up to 50 per cent, creating new economic opportunities, generating over 645 jobs, and re-manufacturing drink containers into new products.
Under CDS Vic, Victorians will receive a 10-cent refund in exchange for used drink cans, bottles, and cartons.
Over 600 refund collection points will be established across Victoria to make it more accessible to various charities, community groups, environmental organisations, sporting clubs, and educational entities.
“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,” said Minister Ingrid Stitt.
Within the first year of the scheme, 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.
CDS Vic is part of the Victorian Labor Government’s $515 million investment in the state’s waste and recycling sector.
It also follows the new standardised four-stream waste and recycling system, which is intended to help Victoria meet its target of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030.
“This is a great opportunity for Victorians to help clean up our environment while helping sporting clubs and community groups to raise valuable funds through collection drive events and donations,” said Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor.
