CDS Vic and Visy brings recycling to heart of Melbourne’s CBD

Today Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme operator, Visy, launched a large format CDS Vic Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) refund point in Melbourne’s CBD, the first of its kind in a CBD across Australia.

Residents and visitors can now cash in their eligible drink containers at the RVM in Federation Square, Russell Street Extension, Melbourne. It joins two small-format RVMs located in Secure Parking car parks on Queen Street and Mackenzie Street.

It was officially opened by the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP with Jim Round, CEO VicReturn, Katrina Sedgwick, CEO Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, Deb Cailes, Acting Head, Recycling Victoria and Tierry Lauren, Executive General Manager Recycling, Visy.

Those wanting to cash in their eligible drink containers can bring them to the Federation Square RVM and receive a refund of 10 cents per container. The refund can be redeemed as a cash voucher refundable at Coles supermarket, via an electronic funds transfer, or as a donation to a charity.

“We’re thrilled to bring more recycling locations to the heart of Melbourne, making recycling easier for visitors, residents, and workers in the city every day,” said Tim O’Donnell, Visy General Manager, Container Deposit Scheme.

CEO of VicReturn, Jim Round, said Victorians were getting behind the Container Deposit Scheme in record numbers.

“More than 90.2 million containers were returned over Christmas and the New Year period across the state through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme – which is a record high. We’re already seeing the strong participation continue through January to start 2025 off strong, and I couldn’t be more proud of Victoria’s recycling efforts,” he said.

CDS Vic commenced on 1 November 2023, and Victorians have returned over 1.3 billion containers across the State.

The community can find their nearest refund point, and access their electronic refunds, through the CDS Vic North app for iOS or Android. For access to refund points across the state, visit CDS Vic.

We are the Zone Operator for the CDS Vic North Zone and has established over 245 refund points across the inner, north and eastern suburbs of Melbourne and Loddon, Mallee, and Hume regions.

Find out more about Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme.