The Victorian Government has unveiled the Container Deposit Scheme, known as CDS Vic, which aims to significantly decrease litter throughout the state and return funds to the people of Victoria.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos officially introduced the scheme, which allows people to return their eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at various refund points throughout Victoria.
CDS Vic is expected to create over 600 jobs statewide and transform used drink containers into new, recycled products, the government said in a news release.
In particular, four methods will be available for people to return their eligible containers: reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter sites, and pop-up refund points.
Depending on the type of refund point they choose, participants can receive their refund in cash, a retail voucher, or an electronic refund.
In addition to personal refunds, Victorians also have the option to donate their refunds to registered charities and community organisations participating in the scheme.
The network of refund points is scheduled to expand in 2024, making it even more accessible to residents.
VicReturn will serve as the Scheme Coordinator, while Zone Operators Return-It, TOMRA Cleanaway, and Visy will oversee the operation of refund points and the distribution of refunds.
These operators will also ensure proper recycling of the returned containers in their designated scheme zones: north, east, and west.
Within nine months of the scheme’s launch, Zone Operators will be required to establish 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.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos underscored that the newly launched Container Deposit Scheme is expected to halve the volume of litter in Victoria, thus contributing to a more sustainable future, while also returning money to the hardworking residents of Victoria.
“CDS Vic will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons being recycled into new products and keep them out of landfill,” he remarked.
According to the government, CDS Vic is an integral part of its $515 million investment in reshaping the state’s waste and recycling system.
This comprehensive plan includes the introduction of a standardised four-stream waste and recycling system to help achieve the target of diverting 80 per cent of all materials away from landfills by 2030.
To find the nearest refund point and learn more about CDS Vic, visit this site.
