28th May 2022

The Andrews Labor Government is cutting waste and putting money back in the communities’ pocket with the introduction of a container deposit scheme.

Minister for Energy, the Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today encouraged Victorians to have their say on the design of the container deposit scheme (CDS) ensuring it is as accessible and easy to use as possible.

Set to start in 2023, the CDS will maximise the return of used drink cans, bottles and cartons for recycling and reduce Victoria’s litter by up to half.

The CDS will also give Victorian charities, community groups and sports clubs a new and easy way to raise funds. It was supported by 85 per cent of participants during initial public consultations.

Victorians can now give their views on the plan, which outlines the types of containers accepted in the scheme and a 10 cent refund for returning each container.

The consultation also covers the number of refund collection points and their operating hours, so that all Victorians in metropolitan, regional and remote areas can benefit from the scheme.

The scheme rewards Victorians with a payment per drink container as an incentive for people to return used containers to maximise recycling.

The CDS is part of the Labor Government’s record $515 million investment to delivering a once-in-a-generation change to the state’s waste and recycling system.

Consultation is open until Sunday 26 June at: engage.vic.gov.au/container-deposit-scheme.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“The community told us they wanted an accessible CDS. We’re now asking their views on our plan to make it easy for all Victorians to trade trash for cash and halve litter while we create new jobs.”

“Victoria’s container deposit scheme will halve litter, providing a stream of clean recyclable materials for re-use in new products instead of going to landfill or polluting the environment and harming our wildlife.”

“All charities and community groups can benefit from Victoria’s CDS. The CDS gives charity, community, and sports groups new ways to fundraise, and all Victorians an easy way to earn money while cleaning up our state.”