CDS Vic celebrates first anniversary

The first anniversary of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) is being recognised with an interactive installation to showcase the importance of recycling.

Victorian primary school pupils are being invited to share a message about why recycling is important to them through a digital portal at cdsvic.org.au/message-in-abottle from now until 20 September.

Selected submissions will be included in the installation at Scienceworks, with visitors able to read the responses as part of the display.

It aims to educate younger Victorians about the value of recycling and the meaning of a circular economy. When they visit, children can return their own containers at the onsite Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in the Scienceworks’ carpark.

Message in a Bottle will demonstrate the circular economy, showcasing the recycling process of PET plastic bottles. The installation will be made from recyclable materials that will either be processed into new products or repurposed at the end of the exhibition period.

Since launching on 1 November 2023, more than 750 million containers have been returned across the state as part of CDS Vic – returning up to $75 million to Victorians, including more than 3900 approved donation partners.

VicReturn Chief Executive Officer, Jim Round said the scheme is proud to be launching the installation to raise awareness and encourage recycling in Victoria.

“We’ve already seen kids get excited about returning their eligible drink containers – from watching the containers go into the reverse vending machines and onto conveyor belts at depots, to getting pocket money they can put towards something they would like to buy,” he said. “Now we’re focusing on ensuring kids and families understand the value of a circular economy and recycling.”

CDS Vic is part of the Victorian Government’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector. Funded by contributions from the beverage industry, the scheme is contributing to Victoria’s target of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030.