| Law Summary |
Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 [1] |
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| Date Implemented | Passed October 2021; implemented November 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Containers Covered |
Beverages that are ≥150mL and ≤3L of the following materials:
Containers should be returned empty, uncrushed, unbroken and with the original label attached. [2] |
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| Beverages and Containers Not Covered |
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| Amount of Deposit |
10¢ AUD |
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| Reclamation System |
The collection point network is made up of several types of return points including Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), Automated Depots, Over the Counter (OTC) and Pop Up Centers. There are three network operators (Visy, Return-It, and TOMRA Cleanaway) that are responsible for setting up and maintaining the collection point networks across three zones. [3] |
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| Handling Fee | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Fees |
Suppliers must make a contribution fee by material type based on a fixed pricing model: [4]
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| Unredeemed Deposits | Remains with the industry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Program Success | Around 33% redemption rate within the first year. [5] |
Details
In February 2020, the Victorian Government announced the planned implementation of a container deposit program in tandem with a curbside recycling reform, which standardizes waste and recycling services across the state. [6] This announcement was preceded by an inquiry into the feasibility of such a program the previous year.
On October 27, 2021, Victoria passed the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021, part six of which sets up a container refund program to help meet the goal of diverting 80% of all material away from landfills by 2030. [7] Victoria is the second-to-last Australian state to implement a container deposit program, before Tasmania. The government opened public consultation into the program during November 2020. [8]
Victoria’s container recycling program, titled “CDS Vic”, began on November 1, 2023. The program is operated by organizations Return-it, TOMRA Cleanaway and Visy, who oversee three different "zones" comprised of more than 600 refund collection points across the state, making the program accessible to all Victorians. The system is overseen by VicReturn, a non-profit entity composed of Australia’s beverage producers. Groups and organizations are also able to receive container donations from the community, run a refund collection point, or host a container collection drive through Pop Up locations. [9]
Victoria's program deposited about a billion containers within it's first year of running. Victorians are recycling an average of 145 containers per returm. A total of one-third of containers were saved from landfill within the first year of the program. The program has also generated around 600 direct jobs. [10]
Footnotes
[1]"MWRRG welcomes new Circular Economy Bill and Recycling Victoria." November 26, 2021.
[2] "Eligible Containers." CDS Vic (VicReturn). Last accessed November 3, 2023.
[3] "Container deposit scheme." Government of Victoria. Last updated November 1, 2023.
[4] "Scheme Pricing from 1 November 2023." VicReturn. Last accessed November 3, 2023.
[5] "Victoria's CDS celebrates one year anniversary" Waste Management Review. November 5, 2024.
[6] "Victoria to introduce container deposit scheme as part of recycling industry overhaul." ABC News Australia. February 23, 2020.
[7] See Footnote 1.
[8] "Victorian Container Deposit Scheme: Discussion Paper." The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. October 2020.
[9] "Victorians to benefit from new container deposit scheme." Australia National Retail Association. April 17, 2023.
[10] see footnote 5
Last updated on November 6, 2024.