Northland visitors can now ‘cash in’ their eligible drink containers with the installation of a CDS Vic reverse vending machine refund point ready for the community.

The community can bring their eligible drink containers to the CDS Vic vending machine located at Northland opposite My Car on Darebin Creek Rd, they will then receive a refund of 10 cents per container. The refund can be redeemed as a cash receipt refundable at Coles Supermarket, via an electronic transfer or as a donation to a charity.

How does CDS Vic work?

Victorians can collect eligible drink containers and take them to a refund point to earn 10 cents per container.Depending on the type of return point you deposit your containers at, this refund can be received in the form of cash, a retail voucher, an electronic refund, or you can donate your refund to a donation partner of your choice.

Who pays the 10 cents for each container?

The scheme is funded by the beverage industry, and once returned, the containers become material for recycling. CDS Vic is a product stewardship scheme. That means beverage companies pay for the 10 cent refund for each container and the operating costs of the scheme. It also means beverage suppliers are playing their part in helping to reduce litter, improve recycling rates and reduce the number of containers that end up in landfill.

What is a refund point?

A refund point is a location where you can return your eligible containers and get your refund.There are four types of refund points: reverse vending machine, depots, over the counter sites and mobile collection points.

What are the different types of refund points?

Reverse vending machines (RVMs) are conveniently located self-service return points. You will be able to find these near supermarkets and in public spaces across Victoria once CDS Vic launches.

Depots will be staffed centres that are able to sort and count bulk loads of drink containers. You can either walk-through or drive-through to drop off your containers and you can get a cash or electronic refund.

Over the counter (OTC)refund points will be located at businesses and organisations in your community. Once you hand over your containers, they will count them for you and provide a refund.

What containers are eligible for a refund?

CDS Vic will accept containers similar to those included in existing schemes across Australia. Most 150ml to 3 litre drink containers are eligible for a10 cent refund – provided they are made from glass,plastic, aluminium, steel or liquid paperboard (the material often used for small juice drinks, or soy milk containers etc). These are the containers most regularly consumed on the go and found in the litter stream. Look for the ‘10c’ mark on the container to see if it is eligible for a refund.If there is a 10 cent mark, then you should be able to return the drink container, provided it is in good condition (uncrushed,empty and with the label and barcode intact).

For more information visit cdsvic.org.au