- Published:
- Saturday 4 April 2026 at 10:30 am
Hundreds of millions of dollars are back in the pockets of Victorians.
More than 3 billion cans and bottles have been recycled through Labor’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).
As a result, more than $300 million dollars has been refunded.
The surge in recycling is also supporting local charities, community organisations and sporting clubs who turn to CDS Vic as a dependable fundraising source.
Scouts Victoria has raised $121,000 through fundraising to help young Victorians attend camps and experiences across the state.
The Good Friday Appeal has raised more than $102,000 through CDS Vic thanks to the generosity of Victorians.
The South Oakleigh Bowls Club has raised $2,350 by collecting and returning more than 17,000 containers to date, helping fund facility upgrades and new equipment.
Before CDS Vic launched, drink containers were one of the most littered items in Victoria. Now, 3 billion have been diverted from landfill and remade into new similar products.
This scheme helps keep our streets and parks clean and has created around 600 jobs in the recycling industry.
It has never been easier to help keep waste out of landfill and litter out of the environment, with 600 convenient deposit points across the state.
The CDS Vic is part of Labor’s $515 million investment to make it easier to recycle in Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
“Victorians have earned $300 million in container returns since the program began, funding charities and upgrades for sporting clubs.”
“In less than two and a half years we have diverted more than 3 billion containers away from landfill, helping to keep our streets and parks clean.”
Quote attributable to CEO of VicReturn Matt Davis
“This significant milestone shows Victorians are embracing the Container Deposit Scheme as part of everyday life.”
“Community organisations like the Good Friday Appeal and the South Oakleigh Bowling Club are seeing first-hand how CDS Vic can turn recycling into local fundraising outcomes while delivering real environmental benefits.”
Top 10 metro refund points
- CDS Vic Depot Williamstown operated by Citizen Blue (74 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Melton operated by KARI (71 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Hallam operated by Return-it (53 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Carrum Downs operated by Nu Container Recycling (39 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Pakenham operated by Return-it (38 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Clyde North operated by Hoxton Industries (37 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Frankston operated by Return-it (32 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Keysborough operated by Return-it (29 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Braeside operated by Nu Container Recycling (28 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Epping operated by Envirobank (28 million)
Top 10 regional refund points
- CDS Vic Depot Mildura operated by Exchange Depot (53 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Shepparton operated by FOOTT (52 million)
- CDS Vic Depot East Bendigo operated by Envirobank (34 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Kangaroo Flat operated by Envirobank (31 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Lucknow operated by Tambo Recycling Centre (29 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Sale operated by Tambo Recycling Centre (29 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Traralgon East operated by Return-it (29 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Wodonga operated by Exchange Depot (29 million)
- CDS Vic Depot Drouin operated by Return-it (28 million)