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
We're running a competition from Monday, 5 May through to Sunday, 15 June 2025 where we'll be giving away five cash prizes of A Million CENTS. That's five prizes of $10,000 up for grabs!
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.
From 2 June 2025, CDS Vic will dollar match the first five Landcare groups to raise $1,000 through the scheme.*
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.
About us
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Newstead Primary School was built in 1877, but with the help of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, it’s moving into the future.
With four classrooms and 80 students, Principal Kathy Callander says the school has community at its heart.
“Because we are so small we have to think about supporting everyone… We’re big on community spirit and working together,” she says. “In our whole town, there’s a big interest in sustainability and looking after the environment.”
When the scheme launched in November 2023, the school council realised there wasn’t going to be a refund point in Newstead and saw an opportunity.
“Being in a small community, we can’t just keep asking for money. You can do the chocolate drives and the fun runs, and they’re amazing, but you’re asking the same people over and over.
“The more we talked about it, the more we thought, this could raise us money, but it doesn’t cost our supporters anything,” she said.
There is a time commitment – Newstead’s collection efforts are largely organised by one keen, generous parent.
“We do everything. If people would like to, they can donate to the school through the [CDS Vic] apps. We found within our own township, they just want to drop them off somewhere, so we’ve organised places around town, as well as at school,” Kathy said.
“Danielle who runs it has bins at her block. We’ve got a great community – people are really respectful with the drop off points.”
Volunteers also post reminders about the program on local social media pages, and the school works with local sports clubs, the men’s shed, and a music festival.
So far, the school has raised around $7000, which has gone towards new playground equipment and phonics readers.
“Our goal for this year is to raise another $5000,” Kathy said.
More power to them.
Want to get involved?
- Check out our map for your nearest refund point
- Learn more about how your school can get involved
- Head to Newstead Primary School's website
