Bucks for bottles scheme now open

Keen recycling enthusiasts can now reap the benefits, with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) now officially open.

Eligible drink containers can now be exchanged for 10 cents each across hundreds of refund points across the state.

By August 2024, the network is estimated to grow to more than 600 refund points.

Local refund points include:

* Berwick Springs Hotel;

* Casey Central Narre Warren South;

* Thompson Parkway Shopping Centre Cranbourne North;

* Paint Place Cranbourne;

* Woolworths Cranbourne West;

* Cranbourne South General Store;

* Langwarrin South General Store;

* Warneet General Store; and

* BP Doveton.

Reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter sites, and pop-up refund points will be the four ways people can return their eligible containers – and depending on the type of refund point, people can choose whether they want to receive the refund in the form of cash, a retail voucher, or an electronic refund.

Victorians can also choose to donate their refund to a charity or community organisation registered with the scheme.

Eligible containers include non-concentrated fruit or vegetable juice, flavoured milk, beer, soft drink and mixed spirits.

Ineligible containers for refund include glass wine bottles, glass spirit bottles, juice bottles over one litre, cordial bottles, milk (other than flavoured milk), concentrated fruit or vegetable juice and health tonics.

In the South East, company Return-It will run the refund points such as depots, reverse vending machines or participating shops.

For more information on the CDS, visit cdsvic.org.au.