Make a return
CDS Vic provides a 10 cent refund for every eligible drink container returned. Each bottle, can and carton that you return helps to divert valuable containers from landfill.
There are hundreds of refund points across Victoria, so look out for your local. The network has more than 600 refund points.
Get involved
In partnership with city councils, these baskets offer a new way to recycle containers on the go.
Are you a school that wants to get involved with CDS Vic? You will find lots of resources and guidance here.
Find out more about participating in Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme.
Our partners
AFL Victoria and CDS Vic have teamed up to support local football clubs across the state in raising funds and promoting sustainability. Through this exciting partnership, CDS Vic is now the Official Recycling Partner of AFL Victoria until 2027.
Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme is proud to partner with Sustainability Victoria's ResourceSmart Schools to empower Victorian schools to recycle and reduce waste.
CDS Vic is proud to announce its groundbreaking partnership with Tennis Victoria. This exciting initiative aims to reduce waste, promote recycling, and support grassroots tennis communities across the state to raise funds.
We have joined forces with Zoos Victoria for a new campaign with a big mission to protect some of our most threatened frog species by recycling your drink containers.
About us
See our commitment to fraud and corruption control, and how to get in touch if you have any concerns
Win A Million Cents – our winners' stories
Recycling their eligible containers has made five lucky Victorians and one charity a “million cents” richer! Here are their stories.
Dean's story
Dean Heather, who returned containers at Bendigo’s Kangaroo Flat CDS Vic depot, is planning to use his “million cents” windfall towards upgrading his caravan for his next adventure. “The bottles and cans used to fill my bin, so I thought it made sense to return them instead. They’re not ending up in the bin and you get a few dollars back as well,” Dean added.
Eli's story
Mulgrave CDS Vic depot regular Eli Rose says the refund point’s high-speed bulk sorting machine makes returning drink containers quick and easy. Collecting drink containers while out walking has also helped the 27-year-old mental health nurse stay active, particularly during the warmer months. “It’s a win-win-win – for the environment, for getting more steps in, and because the money helps too,” Eli said.
Eli’s winning entry came from a haul of more than 1,000 containers. To boost his collections, he has been reaching out to the community through social media and collecting containers left behind at local parks after footy games.
Trevor's story
Myrtleford cattle farmer Trevor McKibbin is a regular visitor to the Wangaratta CDS Vic depot and knows the workers by name. “I joked that if I won the competition, I’d buy them a slab of beer.” When he found out he’d won, he gifted them a slab of VB.
Trevor has fond memories of collecting and recycling cans as a child during the Alcoa Cash-a-Can campaign in the 1990s and was quick to embrace CDS Vic when it launched in 2023.
Baza's story
Over in Eurack, grandfather Bazza Mac saves up his eligible drink containers before making a trip to Geelong’s Bell Park depot every three to six months for a bigger payday. His winning entry came from a haul of more than 1,200 containers.
The retired interstate truck driver has seen the positive impact South Australia’s container deposit scheme had on litter reduction over decades on the road, and was quick to get involved when Victoria’s scheme launched in November 2023. Since then, he estimates he has received around $3,000 in container refunds through CDS Vic.
“I usually cash in the cans and give the refunds to my daughter – she’s got a bunch of kids,” Bazza said. “I save up the containers and deposit them every three to six months. I get containers from the neighbours as well.”
Zion's story
Zion, who returns containers at the Springvale CDS Vic depot, was one of five lucky winners given the opportunity to donate an additional $10,000 to a registered CDS Vic charity, school or community group of their choice.
Wanting to give back to the local Korean community, the Korean-Australian father chose Melbourne Sae-Soon Church, a Presbyterian congregation that supports Korean migrants and the wider community through worship, fellowship and social outreach programs. “I’m a Christian, so I chose a Korean church that does meaningful work supporting the community,” he said.
The donation was a natural extension of his commitment to recycling through CDS Vic.
Working in a restaurant, he noticed large numbers of drink containers being thrown away and saw an opportunity to reduce waste while earning extra money for his family.
“I’d like to see more people in hospitality take advantage of the container deposit scheme. It’s an easy way to make a positive difference for the environment, the community and yourself,” he added.
Almost 44,000 competition entries were received from Victorians returning eligible drink containers across the state, said Matt Davis, CEO of scheme coordinator VicReturn.
“Congratulations to our winners who returned containers across Victoria, and well done to everyone who participated,” Mr Davis said. “Thanks to your efforts, millions of containers have been kept out of landfill and are being properly recycled into new products.”
