RESOURCES
Victoria Bottle Bill
Everything you need to know about the container deposit system in Victoria, Australia, including eligible containers, refund values, and collection locations.
Program Information
Name
CDS Vic, established under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021.
Date Implemented
Launched on 1 November 2023.
Reclamation System
Managed by VicReturn (Scheme Coordinator) and operated by Visy, TOMRA Cleanaway, and Return-It (Network Operators). As of 2025, the scheme includes over 600 refund collection points across Victoria, comprising reverse vending machines, over-the-counter sites, and automated depots.
Fees
Beverage suppliers fund the scheme through several components. Scheme prices, paid per container to the scheme coordinator, range from $0.1105 to $0.1150 AUD depending on material type. Suppliers also pay a fixed annual scheme coordinator fee for administration, a compliance fee to the Victorian Government, and a 10-cent processing refund per container to MRFs for containers recovered via kerbside recycling.
Unredeemed Deposits
Retained by the scheme to fund operations and system improvements.
Eligible Containers
Victoria's container deposit scheme accepts most beverage containers between 150mL and 3L. Here's what you can return for a refund:
Aluminum Cans
Uncrushed, tab on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 12.16¢ | 10¢ |
Plastic Bottles
Label intact, and lid on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| HDPE 150mL – 3L | 12.27¢ | 10¢ |
| PET 150mL – 3L | 12.27¢ | 10¢ |
Glass Bottles
Label intact and lid on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 12.54¢ | 10¢ |
Liquid Paperboard
Lid on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 12.65¢ | 10¢ |
Steel Cans
Uncrushed, with the label intact, and lid on
| SIZE | CRF FEE | REFUND |
|---|---|---|
| 150mL – 3L | 12.21¢ | 10¢ |
What's Not Accepted
Size Restrictions
Containers smaller than 150mL or larger than 3L.
Plain Milk
Plain milk containers of all sizes including plant-based milk substitutes.
Cordial or Syrup Containers
Concentrated or undiluted cordial or syrup containers.
Wine & Spirits
Wine or pure spirits bottles made of glass, including single serve formats.
Large Beverage Pouches
Sachets (soft plastic or foil) above 250mL that contained wine.
Large Juice, Flavoured Milk, Wine, Water Containers
Containers 1 litre or greater that contained flavoured milk, pure fruit or vegetable juice, cask wine or water.
Health tonics & Probiotics
Registered health tonics, including small probiotic shots less than 150mL.
Program Performance
As Victoria's container deposit scheme only launched in November 2023, comprehensive performance data is still emerging. Here are the projected outcomes and early results:
| Category\Year | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
Absolute Recovery Rate | 65%+7.0% | 58% |
Relative Recovery Rate | 87.7%+0.2% | 87.5% |
| Aluminium Cans | 85% | 73.5% |
| Plastic Bottles | 80% | 69.2% |
| Glass Bottles | 75% | 64.8% |
| Paperboard Cartons | 70% | 60.5% |
| Steel Cans | 65% | 56.3% |
| Other Containers | 60% | 51.8% |
Regulations & Resources
Key legislation and resources for Victoria's container deposit scheme:
Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 (Vic)
This Act establishes the legal foundation for Victoria's transition to a circular economy, including the Container Deposit Scheme. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of the scheme coordinator, network operators, and the regulator, Recycling Victoria.
Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2022 (Vic)
These regulations provide detailed operational guidelines for the Container Deposit Scheme, including eligible containers, refund amounts, labeling requirements, and obligations of scheme participants.
Mutual Recognition (Victoria) (Temporary Exemption) (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2023 (Vic)
These regulations provide a temporary exemption from the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992, allowing Victoria to enforce its container deposit requirements without conflicting with interstate trade laws.
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