More than $300 million has been returned to Victorians through the state’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic), with over three billion drink containers recycled since the program’s launch.
The surge in recycling is also providing a reliable source of fundraising for local charities, community organisations and sporting clubs. Scouts Victoria has raised $121,000 to support young Victorians attending camps, while the Good Friday Appeal has collected more than $102,000 through returned containers.
Regional clubs are benefiting as well, with the South Oakleigh Bowls Club raising $2,350 from more than 17,000 containers to fund facility upgrades and new equipment.
Before CDS Vic was introduced, drink containers were among the most commonly littered items in Victoria. The scheme has now diverted three billion containers from landfill and transformed them into new products, while creating around 600 jobs in the recycling sector.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said, “Victorians have earned $300 million in container returns since the program began, funding charities and upgrades for sporting clubs. In less than two and a half years we have diverted more than three billion containers away from landfill, helping to keep our streets and parks clean.”
Matt Davis added, “This significant milestone shows Victorians are embracing the Container Deposit Scheme as part of everyday life. Community organisations like the Good Friday Appeal and the South Oakleigh Bowling Club are seeing first-hand how CDS Vic can turn recycling into local fundraising outcomes while delivering real environmental benefits.”
CDS Vic currently operates 600 convenient refund points across the state as part of a $515 million Labor government investment to make recycling more accessible.
The busiest metro depots to date include Williamstown (74 million containers), Melton (71 million) and Hallam (53 million). In regional areas, Mildura (53 million), Shepparton (52 million) and East Bendigo (34 million) have seen the highest volumes returned.
The scheme aims to reduce litter, support local communities and provide environmental and economic benefits while making recycling more accessible to all Victorians.
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