Victoria · Melbourne
Container deposit in VIC: what you can return
In Victoria, CDS Vic has paid a 10 cent refund on eligible drink containers since 1 November 2023. Most aluminium, glass, plastic and carton drink containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres qualify. Plain milk, wine, spirits and cordial do not. Leave the lids on and do not crush them.
Sources CDS Vic: eligible containersCDS Vic: refund point locations
What do I do with drink containers in VIC?
- Check the mark Eligible containers carry the scheme's refund mark. If it is missing, check the scheme's eligibility list or app before you bin it.
- Empty it Every scheme wants the container empty. Lids, crushing and sorting rules differ by scheme, so read the state rules below before you bag them up.
- Bag them by type Most depots pay faster if aluminium, glass and plastic are separated.
CDS Vic has run in VIC since 1 November 2023, paying 10c a container. Most aluminium, glass, plastic and carton drink containers between 150ml and 3 litres, with size limits by category. Plain milk, cordial and syrup concentrate, wine, spirits, cask wine, health tonics and anything under 150ml are excluded. More than 600 refund points statewide, as reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter points and pop-ups. Leave the lids on and do not crush the containers. Lids are recycled too, and refund points rely on the container being intact to identify and count it.
Nearest drop-off: Council waste and recycling services, all 79 Victorian councils (archived Sustainability Victoria page)
Which containers can I return in Victoria?
Most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres, with size limits by category: soft drinks 200ml to 750ml, juice 150ml to 1 litre, beer and cider 150ml to 1 litre, flavoured milk 150ml to 750ml. Plain milk, cordial, wine, spirits, cask wine, health tonics and anything under 150ml are excluded. Look for the 10c mark near the barcode.
Do I take the lids off, and can I crush the containers?
No on both counts in Victoria. CDS Vic asks you to leave the lids on, because the lids are recycled too, and to hand containers over uncrushed. Refund points count and identify containers on the basis that they are intact, so a crushed can or bottle is usually rejected. Empty them, but leave them whole.
Where is my nearest refund point in Melbourne?
CDS Vic runs more than 600 refund points across the state, as reverse vending machines, depots, over-the-counter points and pop-ups. VicReturn coordinates the scheme and Visy, Return-It and TOMRA Cleanaway run the refund points in their zones. Check the locator at cdsvic.org.au/locations before you drive, because sites and opening hours change.
What do I do with containers that aren't eligible?
Plain milk bottles, wine and spirit bottles, cordial concentrate, cask wine and containers over the category size limits earn nothing under CDS Vic, but they are still recyclable. They go loose in the kerbside recycling bin, or the purple-lid glass bin where your Victorian council has one. Never bag them: bagged recycling is pulled out as contamination.
Need it gone this week?
Compare council collection, recycling and pickup options on the skip bin hire page for Melbourne.