We are pleased to announce that residents can now recycle eligible drinking containers at multiple locations across Merri-bek and receive a 10-cent refund for each container!
One of the ways you can participate in the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is by recycling drink containers through self-service drop-off points called reverse vending machines. Other ways you can recycle containers is at over-the-counter drop-off locations and automated drop-off depots.
Residents can find their nearest refund point on the CDS Victoria website.
The Victorian Government has partnered with 3 zone operators who deliver the refund points across Victoria. Our zone operators, , install and manage the refund points, manage refunds to customers and donation partners, and ensure the proper recycling of containers.
In October 2023, we invited community feedback on 2 locations for “reverse vending machines” on Council land and are working hard to identify additional locations. The current locations are:
- 797 Sydney Road, Brunswick
- Domain Street, Hadfield
What is the Container Deposit Scheme?
The CDS is a Victorian Government initiative that rewards Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible drinking container they recycle at designated refund points. It is a new and easy way to do your bit for the environment and earn some extra money while doing it.
How does the Container Deposit Scheme work?
- You purchase a drink.
- You return your empty drink container to a refund point. 600 refund points are planned across Victoria.
- You receive a 10-cent refund for every eligible container you return. You can choose to keep the funds or donate to a participating charity, community group, environmental group, educational organisation or sports group.
- Your returned container is given a new lease on life. The material is recycled and remanufactured into a new product, saving it from landfill or littering the environment. Preserves it at food grade quality plastic before enters co-mingling, therefore optimising recycling!
What are the benefits of the Container Deposit Scheme?
The introduction of this scheme will provide many benefits to the community, environment and economy including:
- Increase recycling of drink cans, bottles and cartons
- Fundraising opportunities for community groups
- Less litter – experience shows a CDS can cut litter by up to half
- Lowers clean-up costs for councils and makes producers more responsible for their products
- Complements 4-bin service changes – another way for our residents to recycle, even when they’re away from home
- Potential for increase in trade for businesses located near container collection points
- Helps us achieve our Zero Waste to landfill by 2030 goal
What drink containers are eligible?
- Soft drink cans and bottles
- Flavoured milk containers
- Non-concentrated fruit or vegetable juice containers
- Beer cans and bottles
- Mixed spirits
What drink containers are exempt?
- Glass wine and spirit bottles
- Juice bottles over 1 litre
- Cordial bottles
- Milk (other than flavoured)
- Concentrated fruit or vegetable juice
We are excited to be working in partnership with the Victorian Government on this project and hope to introduce more refund points across Merri-bek soon!
To learn more about the Victorian Government’s Container Deposit Scheme, visit the .
