My constituency question is for the Minister for Environment in the other place, and I ask: how will the Andrews Labor government’s container deposit scheme, starting in November this year, be implemented within the Glen Waverley district? I spoke with one of my constituents back in December, and he was excited about the possibility of a container deposit scheme and what it means for Victoria. I was pleased to inform him last month of the announcement of the date of our implementation of this world-class scheme. The container deposit scheme will turn drink containers into new recycled products, reduce Victoria’s litter by up to half and create over 600 jobs. There will be more than 600 collection points across the state, making it accessible for all Victorians. This scheme builds on the government’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector. I know that my constituents and I will be looking forward to the response to this question.
Minister’s Response:
I thank the member for his question, and his interest in Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, CDS Vic.
CDS Vic is a fundamental part of the Andrews Labor Government’s once-in-a-generation reforms to waste and recycling in Victoria. As the member notes, the scheme is designed with accessibility as a key priority – it will be the most accessible and convenient in the country.
I am pleased to advise that constituents in the member’s electorate of Glen Waverley will be able to benefit from CDS Vic in many different ways.
When the scheme commences from 1 November, Glen Waverley residents will be rewarded with a 10-cent refund when they return eligible containers to refund collection points – this includes bottles, cans and cartons.
The Victorian Government has appointed Network Operators to set up the collection point network for CDS Vic. In Glen Waverley District, these operators are ReturnIt (in the City of Monash part of the district) and Visy (in the City of Whitehorse part of the district).
Once these collection points have been set up, Glen Waverley residents will be able to access the CDS via reverse vending machines, drop-off points, over-the-counter points (such as in supermarkets), and depots. This will work alongside the purple glass bin being rolled out to Glen Waverley residents by 2027, making it easier than ever for them to recycle containers whether they are at home, or out in the community.
The scheme will also have benefits for Glen Waverley’s local businesses, community organisations and charities.
Local organisations are now able to register their interest with the Network Operator in their area to run a collection point, and receive a handling fee. Community groups and charities in Glen Waverley may also wish to run a container collection drive, and charities can even register to receive donated funds from Victorians, who may wish to donate their 10-cent refund to the charity of their choice.
The scheme will also support Glen Waverley’s economy by creating new jobs across Victoria. There will be jobs in the building and running of refund collection points, processing materials for recycling, transport, and support services like technology management, community education, auditing, and reporting. We expect CDS Vic to result in more than 640 direct jobs across the state.
CDS Vic will deliver significant environmental, economic and community benefits for the residents of Glen Waverley District, and for all Victorians.
I thank the member again for his question, and for his long-standing advocacy for environmental protection.
Ingrid Stitt MP
Minister for Environment
