Victorians have returned more containers than any other scheme in the country in the first year of the Allan Labor Government’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) – with a Billion containers saved from landfill and $100 million back in the pockets of Victorians and charities.
Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today announced that the CDS Vic Depot at Lucknow, run by Return-It, is the fifth highest in regional Victoria, for total containers recycled.
Locals have put 10.2 million containers through the depot since November 1st, 2023 – receiving back more than $1 million.
East Gippsland Shire has seen a total of 11,832,197 containers recycled in that time, delivering $1,183,220 back in the pockets of locals and community groups.
Victorians are recycling an average of 145 containers per return, with more than 26 million containers deposited the week following the AFL Grand Final – the biggest week of returns on record.
Before CDS Vic was launched, drink containers were one of the most littered items in Victoria. Over the past 12 months alone, a staggering one-third of containers have been saved from landfill and recycled through the scheme.
The CDS has already generated 597 direct jobs in Victoria in its first year. Of all the containers returned since the scheme started, around 50 percent have been aluminium, 30 percent plastic and 17 percent glass – these containers are sorted and recycled into new bottles or other products.
It has never been easier to help keep waste out of landfill and litter out of the environment, with Victorians encouraged to continue to recycle their eligible drink containers at any one of the 657 convenient and accessible deposit points across the state.
The Labor Government is driving recycling in Victoria, backed by a $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling industry – creating more jobs in new industries, cutting waste to landfill, and maximising the value of precious resources.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos
“Victorians have gone gangbusters for our Container Deposit Scheme – saving one billion containers from landfill, putting $100 million back in their pockets and making it the number one scheme in the country.”
“There are lots of things to celebrate on the one year of this scheme that gives back to the community, creates local jobs, teaches kids about recycling and safeguards our environment.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh
“Locals have jumped on this scheme – taking the opportunity both to save some money and look after the environment. It’s outstanding that everyone, whether they’re residents or community groups, has embraced it the way they have.”
Quotes attributable to Return-It CEO Marc Churchin
"We've collected over 290 million containers, a clear reflection of the widespread engagement and commitment to the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme.”
“Our network of collection points has grown significantly, making recycling more accessible for thousands of Victorians. Through strong partnerships with local businesses and not-for-profits, we've seen tangible benefits for both the environment and our communities.”
