General News
2 November, 2023
Local drop off points open for Container Deposit Scheme
In a state first, residents can now trade in their bottles and cans in exchange for a 10 cent refund which they can either cash in or donate to select charities. As part of the Victorian Government’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) which...
In a state first, residents can now trade in their bottles and cans in exchange for a 10 cent refund which they can either cash in or donate to select charities.
As part of the Victorian Government’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) which launched this week, locals will be able to recycle eligible drink containers at Maryborough’s over-the-counter refund point, located at Asteria Services and at the Waste Recyclers of Victoria depot in Flagstaff.
People will receive 10 cents for every recycled item and they will be able to accept it in four ways:
Vouchers — these can be used towards your purchase at participating local stores or supermarkets.
Cash — you can receive a refund in cash after your drink containers are counted at the counter.
Donate — funds can be donated to registered charities or organisation.
Electronic Payment — all funds will go directly into your bank, however the CDS Vic app is required to process the refund.
Apart from the two local collection points, the Ripon electorate also has others in Beaufort, Ararat, Inglewood, Creswick, Wedderburn and St Arnaud.
“[We] are delighted to be a part of this scheme,” Asteria’s CEO Annie Constable said.
“As a not-for-profit [Asteria] is a donation partner, and would invite the community to consider donating their containers to [us].
“Asteria aims to work with community organisations including sporting clubs and schools, and encourages the recycling of eligible containers to ensure these valuable resources do not become landfill.”
Although the collection point at Asteria is relatively new, the depot at Flagstaff has been operating for over 40 years.
“We’ve been the Central Goldfields Shire’s contractors for a while now — managing the area’s [recycling needs],” Waster Recyclers of Victoria’s owner Rachael Raven said.
“Now that the state has introduced CDS, we’re very happy because my father has been campaigning for this for years.”
CDS Vic is estimated to create more than 600 jobs in Victoria and cut the state’s litter by up to half — with reverse vending machines, depots and pop-ups some of the other ways people can return their eligible containers.
According to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, the scheme has huge benefits for everyone involved.
“[It] will mean 10 cents back for every eligible bottle, can and carton returned,” she said.
“Not only will this put cash back in the pockets of locals — it’s a big win for local charities and community groups too.”
You can recycle only eligible containers — sized between 150 ml and three litres, and are smaller portable containers, such as glass or plastic bottles, aluminium drink cans and juice or flavoured milk cartons, most eligible containers will display a label marked ‘10c’.
The scheme is part of the government’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling system — which will also support Victoria’s broader target of diverting 80 percent of all material away from landfill by 2030.
Asteria’s over the counter refund point at 64-68 Nelson Street will be operating weekly from Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Waste Recyclers of Victoria is located at 12 Madmans Lane in Flagstaff and can be reached at 0418 510 661.
For more information about the scheme visit cdsvic.org.au