Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) recorded its highest-ever weekly collection last week.
The recycling initiative, coordinated by VicReturn, offers 10-cent refunds for each eligible drink container returned in an effort to keep valuable materials out of landfills and in the circular economy.
In the week commencing 12 January, 34.85 million drink containers were collected, surpassing the previous weekly record of 33.90 million, set at the same time last year.
This weekly record is part of a strong summer recycling effort for the state, which has resulted in more than 33.60 million cans, bottles and cartons returned to CDS Vic over the past three consecutive weeks – a first for the two-year-old scheme.
More containers were also returned between this recent Christmas and New Year period than ever before, cutting litter and putting container refunds back into the pockets of participants.
Between 22 December, 2025 and 4 January, 2026, 61.90 million containers were returned, exceeding last year’s total of 58.20 million in the same period.
The busiest days on record were 22 and 23 December, with more than 6.50 and 6.60 million daily containers returned, respectively.
“These record-breaking results show Victorians are embracing the Container Deposit Scheme as part of everyday life,” said VicReturn Chief Executive Officer Matt Davis.
“It’s a win for the community and a win for the environment. Every eligible drink container returned is one less piece of litter in the environment and another step towards a stronger circular economy.”
CDS Vic has returned $270 million to the pockets of Victorians, including close to $3 million to community and not-for-profit groups across the state, since its inception.
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