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Make a return

Make a return

How to make a return
CDS Vic will provide a 10 cent refund for every eligible drink container returned from 1 November.    Every bottle, can and carton you return helps to divert valuable containers from landfill. 
Eligible containers
Most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible. Keep the lids on, we recycle them too! 
Refund point types

There are hundreds of refund points across Victoria, so look out for your local. The network has more than 600 refund points.

Donation & other refund types
There are multiple ways to receive your 10 cent refund. You can either keep your refund, or support your favourite cause with a donation. 
Get involved

Get involved

Fundraising
CDS Vic gives charities and community groups the opportunity to raise funds while making an impact. 
Donating
Your eligible containers can help others. Donate your valuable container refunds at your nearest refund point. 
Scouts Victoria

We’re excited to announce a partnership between Scouts Victoria and CDS Vic, designed to reward Scouts and Scout Groups for their commitment to container recycling.

Message in a Bottle

To celebrate the upcoming first anniversary of the scheme's launch, CDS Vic will launch an interactive installation at Scienceworks to educate young Victorians about recycling.

Tennis Victoria

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.

AFL Victoria partnership

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.

Beverage industry partners
Find out more about participating in Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme
About us
Sorting eligible containers before returning

About us

About CDS Vic
CDS Vic is part of Victoria’s goal to be a leader in the creation of a stronger circular economy.
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Consult our database of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Contact us
Get in touch if you have a complaint, compliment or a specific enquiry.
Scheme Integrity

See our commitment to fraud and corruption control, and how to get in touch if you have any concerns
 

News

Behind the scenes: SES Emerald refund point

Case study


For the Victorian SES Emerald Unit, being part of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme provides a major opportunity for community engagement. The Unit operates a drive through over-the-counter CDS Vic refund point, where people can return their eligible containers for a 10 cent refund. 

Olinka, who volunteers with the SES Emerald, said that the greatest benefit they had found so far being a CDS Vic partner was the opportunity to connect with audiences that they may not have otherwise been able to reach.

“This starts from little kids, going right up to senior citizens who come through and drop off their containers for refunds for themselves or for fundraising,” she said. “As people come through here, we talk to them about the current weather that we're expecting and what they can do to prepare their properties.”

Fellow volunteer, Craig added that when people come to drop off their drink containers, they “look around the facility, they look at the trucks, we talk to them about where the money goes that we're making. We talk to them about the positive benefits to the environment.”

Reflecting on the work the volunteers do sorting and processing all the drink containers that get returned to the SES Emerald refund point, Craig, said that while this was not necessarily the most glamorous kind of work, “this is the contribution I can make really easily. And when I can't go out and do other things, I can do this... and I really quite enjoy it.”

Like to support the work of the Emerald SES?
  • If you live in or near Emerald, head to the CDS Vic Emerald over-the-counter facility to return your eligible containers, say hi to the crew and collect your 10 cent refund.
  • If you have the CDS Vic East Zone app, you can donate your drink container refunds to the Emerald SES by selecting Victoria State Emergency Service Emerald Unit as your payout (scroll to the Electronic Payment section to download the app).
  • Spread the word by encouraging your friends and family to return their eligible drink containers to the Emerald SES (if they live locally) or donate their drink container refunds to the Victoria State Emergency Service Emerald Unit.

Check out our YouTube channel for more great videos!

Video by Digital Storytellers