With growing volumes of beverage containers Victorians can continue to dispose of their bottles knowing that soon there will be a 10 cent refund for aluminium, glass and plastic drink containers returned for recycling.

Before the scheme rolls out, Victorians are encouraged have their say on how a container deposit scheme (CDS) could work best for them.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said the plan to introduce a CDS is part of the Victorian Government’s $300 million Recycling Victoria policy. This record investment is transforming our recycling sector and driving investment in world class infrastructure and technology, create cutting-edge local industries and supporting new jobs.

A CDS will create hundreds of new jobs in Victoria, in collection centres, in transport and logistics, and through support services like technology management, community education, auditing and reporting. Similar schemes in Queensland and New South Wales have created between 600 and 700 jobs.

Community organisations, charities and small businesses will have options for gettting invloved in the Victorian scheme, including operating refund collection points and fundraising opportunities. These opportunities will create new jobs, provide new income streams for existing businesses and strengthen the Victorian economy.

A CDS will create new clean material streams for plastic, aluminium and glass, boosting Victoria’s recycling system and the re-manufacture of these resources into new products.

The proposed CDS model for Victoria proposes a ‘split responsibility’ model, where the scheme coordinator function and the network operator function are separated. This model will maximise the number of bottles collected and ensure strong transparency and accountability throughout the scheme.

The CDS network will include a variety of collection points such as automated reverse vending machines in public places, drive through depots, pop up collection points at events and community festivals, and over the counter at local shops.

We’re consulting on the proposed model to make sure it’s right for the Victorian community. Have your say via the Engage Victoria website to ensure Victoria’s container deposit scheme works for you.

The consultation will be open on the Engage Victoria website from Monday 2 November 2020 to Monday 30 November 2020. To find out more go to engage.vic.gov.au/container-deposit-scheme.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We want to help communities look after our local environment by being better equipped to tackle litter and increase recycling and now they have the chance to help shape how it works.

“Victoria’s container deposit scheme will be an exciting opportunity for all Victorians to play a role in improving recycling, cutting waste and tackling litter and importantly, it’ll create jobs across the state”