Container deposit refunds are a step closer in Daylesford with the installation of a reverse vending machine in East Street, Daylesford. The installation is part of a roll out of refund points across Victoria in preparation for the start of the scheme on November 1st.

The local installation has been done by TOMRA Cleanaway, a container recycling company, one of three operators who will establish and oversee the refund points.

Most beverage containers (larger than 150ml and smaller than 3L) that are made from aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard are eligible for a 10c refund when returned to a refund point. There will be more than 600 refund points across the state and four different ways to return eligible containers – reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter sites, and bag drops and collections.

The scheme is expected to reduce Victoria’s litter by up to half, create new economic opportunities, generate around 640 jobs across the state, in both regional and metropolitan Victoria, and turn drink containers into new recycled products.

CDS Vic will be run by Scheme Coordinator, VicReturn, and three zone operators, TOMRA Cleanaway, VISY, and Return-It, who will establish and oversee the refund points, provide refunds to customers and ensure proper recycling of the containers. The zone operators are each responsible for a part of Victoria, which has been separated into three scheme zones: north, east and west.

CDS Vic also offers Victorian charities, community groups, environmental groups, sporting clubs and educational organisations new ways to raise funds through collection drives, by operating refund points, or receiving direct donations from the community. A Donation Partner Registry will be available from 1 October 2023, ahead of the scheme starting on 1 November. Keep an eye on the website for details or email donationpartners@vicreturn.com.au for updates.

“This is a great opportunity to help clean up our environment, while helping local sporting clubs, community groups and schools to raise valuable funds through collection drives and donations,” said Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas.

The scheme is part of the Victorian Government’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector. This includes the new standardised four-stream waste and recycling system, which will meet the target of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030.

More information about CDS Vic can be found at www.cdsvic.org.au.