Victorian councils are trialling public place bin baskets through the state’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic), aiming to make recycling more accessible and reduce litter.
Since the scheme’s launch in November 2023, more than 2.3 billion drink containers have been returned, generating $234 million in refunds. The new phase focuses on diverting eligible containers from landfill by attaching bin baskets to existing public litter bins, a model already used in Western Australia.
At Waste Expo Australia 2025, a CDS Vic panel featured Yarra Ranges, Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip councils, which each installed 100 of the units in June. The baskets separate eligible drink containers from general waste, improving recycling outcomes and lowering waste management costs.
Marianne Doyle, interim CEO of VicReturn, said local government participation was key to the scheme’s success. “Councils are hosting refund points, they're now running bin diversion trials for the community, and they're an essential part of reaching those local communities,” she said.
Emily Rollis, senior strategy officer waste futures at City of Port Phillip, said about half of the council’s public garbage bins contain CDS material that would otherwise go to landfill. “The public recycling bins we have are highly contaminated, so there is a risk that that material doesn't get recycled,” she said.
Mornington Peninsula’s zero waste officer Jess Cooper said the trial could ease seasonal pressure on waste services during peak tourism periods, while Sarah Love, policy and project officer waste management at Yarra Ranges Council, said the baskets provided “a clean recycling stream through CDS Vic” and were “far cheaper than installing new recycling bins or running extra collection services”.
According to Love, community feedback has been positive, with residents welcoming the simple design and visible impact. The baskets also reduce bin replacement costs, which can range from $2000 to $5000 each.
Councils are working with volunteer groups such as Love Our Streets, Beach Patrol and Sea Scouts to monitor the baskets and report contamination levels, keeping maintenance costs low.
CDS Vic data shows container litter has dropped by more than half across Victorian beaches, but around one in three drink containers remains unrecovered. The scheme is offering up to $8000 (ex GST) to at least 12 local governments for similar public place trials. Expressions of interest close on 20 November 2025.
