Vic looks to halve its litter problem with CDS starting in 2023

Victoria’s new container deposit scheme (CDS) has been unveiled with claims it will lead to three billion containers being recycled every year and halve the state’s litter.

Starting in
2023, Victorians will be able to return cans, bottles and cartons at shopping
centres, drive-through collection depots, and mobile drop-off points at events
and community festivals.

Charity,
community, and sports groups will also have the option of operating container
collection points to raise extra funds.

The
scheme’s design is similar to the NSW CDS and follows detailed analysis of
schemes operating internationally and interstate to “make sure Victoria has the
best possible CDS”.

The Victoria
government says it will continue to work closely with the beverage and
recycling industries and the community and charity sector as the legislation is
developed.

The
contract for the “network operator” will be put out for tender, with the
government suggesting there could be one or more operators.

Beverage companies
are yet to decide how much more expensive their products will become in
Victoria when the CDS begins.

Drinks rose
an average of 7.7 cents in NSW and 9.9 cents in Queensland when those
jurisdictions introduced their CDSs.

Victoria is
the last state or territory to introduce a CDS.