Victorians returned a record 34.85 million drink containers in the week commencing 12 January 2026, the highest weekly total since Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) began. The scheme offers a 10-cent refund for each eligible drink container returned, aiming to keep materials out of landfill and support a circular economy.
Return volumes have been strong across the month, with more than 33.6 million containers collected over three consecutive weeks since 29 December, a first for the two-year-old scheme.
Between 22 December 2025 and 4 January 2026, 61.9 million containers were returned, exceeding the 58.2 million collected during the same period last year. The busiest days were 22 and 23 December, with over 6.5 million and 6.6 million containers returned respectively.
“These record-breaking results show Victorians are embracing the Container Deposit Scheme as part of everyday life,” said Matt Davis, CEO of VicReturn, the scheme coordinator. “Every eligible drink container returned is one less piece of litter in the environment and another step towards a stronger circular economy. Victorians are doing the right thing, returning drink containers in record numbers and helping to reduce litter across our streets, parks and waterways.”
CDS Vic has returned $270 million to Victorians, including close to $3 million to community and not-for-profit groups. More information and a full list of refund points are available at cdsvic.org.au.
