This article first appeared on Convenience & Impulse Retailing, authored by Tom Oakley-Newell
VicReturn, a not-for-profit formed by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Lion, and Asahi, will play an integral role in the new Victorian container deposit scheme, CDS Vic.
VicReturn has been appointed Scheme Coordinator and will be responsible for managing the marketing of CDS Vic, running its financial operations, and ensuring the scheme operates smoothly.
Paul Klymenko, Chair of VicReturn, congratulated the three successful network operators on their appointments and looks forward to working with them to make CDS Vic a success.
“I congratulate the Victorian Government on the introduction of its container deposit scheme. CDS Vic will have real environmental and social benefits and help create a circular economy for beverage containers.”
CDS Vic will allow Victorians to return their used drink cans, bottles, and cartons for a 10-cent refund.
The Network Operators will be required to have a minimum of one collection point per 14,500 people in metropolitan areas, at least one per town of 750 people in regional areas, and at least one per town of 350 people in remote areas.
Ingrid Stitt, Victorian Minister for Environment, said CDS Vic will be Australia’s most accessible and convenient container deposit scheme, with more than 600 refund collection points across the state.
“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme will maximise the number of cans, bottles and cartons being recycled into new products, put extra cash in Victorian pockets and will reduce the amount of litter in our environment by half.”
Peter West, Vice President and General Manager – Australia, Pacific and Indonesia, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said they are determined to be a catalyst in Australia’s circular economy, including in Victoria, a state that’s long been integral to their business.
“The launch of CDS Vic represents a step-change for Victoria’s circular economy. Through our involvement in VicReturn, coupled with our investment in Circular Plastics Australia’s PET recycling plant in Altona with Pact Group, Cleanaway, and Asahi Beverages, we are proud to help create a closed loop in Victoria where bottles and cans can be used, collected, recycled and reborn.”
