Container Deposit Scheme: 10c for cans cartons and bottles

From November 2023 Victorians will be able to recycle cans cartons and bottles and be paid 10c for each.

The scheme provides charities community groups environmental organisations sports groups and educational organisations with ways to raise funds.

The scheme will be run by a Scheme Coordinator and three Network Operator/s funded by beverage suppliers.

Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)

Victoria's container deposit scheme CDS Vic is set to start in November 2023. The scheme will reward Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible can carton and bottle they return.

It is part of important work that is transforming Victoria's waste and recycling system.

CDS Vic will provide shared benefits to the community environment and economy by delivering:

more and better recycling

less waste - old containers become new ones

less litter - cut by up to half

hundreds of new jobs and economic opportunities across Victoria

a cleaner greener state.

How it will work

You purchase a drink.

You return your empty drink container to a refund collection point. With refund collection points across Victoria you can choose a location that is convenient for you.

You receive a 10-cent refund for every eligible container you return. You can choose to keep the funds or donate to a participating charity community group environmental group educational organisation or sports group.
Your returned container is given a new lease on life. The material is recycled and remanufactured into a new product saving it from landfill or littering the environment.

Containers eligible for refund

CDS Vic will target beverage containers that most commonly contribute to litter and are often consumed away from home. This includes plastic soft drink bottles glass beer bottles soft drinks and alcohol sold in cans and small fruit juice cartons.

A complete list of eligible containers can be found in the Container Deposit Scheme Regulations.

Containers eligible for refund soda cans flavoured milk boxes beer cans beer bottles and plastic water bottles

Eligible containers include:

Non-concentrated fruit or vegetable juice

Flavoured milk

Beer

Soft drink

Mixed spirits (not glass spirits)

Exempt containers include: (not eligible)

Glass wine bottles

Glass spirit bottles

Juice bottles over 1 litre

Cordial bottles

Milk (other than flavoured milk)

Concentrated fruit or vegetable juice

Health tonics

There will be many convenient and accessible locations across Victoria to return your empty drink containers.

Container deposit scheme