Drink cans and bottles can now be recycled at a new reverse vending machine refund point at the Australian Light Foundation in Tottenham.
Since the scheme commenced on 1 November 2023, residents across Victoria have been collecting and recycling eligible drink bottles, cartons, and cans and returning them through CDS Vic refund points to receive 10 cents per item in return.
To date, TOMRA Cleanaway’s West Zone operation has collected more than 117 million containers in Zone 1 (regional) and over 186 million containers collected in Zone 4 (metro), putting nearly $30 million back into the pockets of Victorians.
Located at 291 Sunshine Road, Tottenham, this is the eighth refund point installed in the Maribyrnong area.
The world-leading reverse vending machine technology scans and verifies each container deposited and provides options to the user to either receive the amount through a retail cash voucher, via digital transfer direct to a bank account, or for the amount to be sent as a donation to a nominated charity or community group.
CDS Vic gives charities, community groups, schools, and sporting groups new ways to fundraise by registering as a donation partner.
In the Maribyrnong area, groups and organisations are already fundraising with CDS Vic, including:
• West Footscray Neighbourhood House – Building a Stronger Future
• The Op Shop West Footscray – Fuels Change, Brings Hope & Strengthens Bonds
• Braybrook College – Funding More Sustainability & Environmental Projects
Residents in the Maribyrnong area can also download the CDS Vic West Zone app to check on the live status of their local refund point, verify container eligibility, and manage and track container refunds.
Chief executive of TOMRA Cleanaway James Dorney said “We’re very excited to have landed a new CDS Vic refund point in Tottenham, adding to the existing network of refund points in Victoria, allowing locals a location where they can conveniently drop off
their eligible drink containers for recycling. Our machines are quick, convenient, and automated, and able to be seamlessly integrated into
retail and community locations.”
“All containers returned through the TOMRA Cleanaway refund point network pass through technology for audit and verification purposes, which achieves clean, source-separated commodities that support Victoria’s transition to a circular economy.”
