OzHarvest Donation Appeal
Donate your containers or refund to OzHarvest and

help them rescue food destined for landfill and deliver it to people in need.

Find out more
Weston Creek Reverse Vending Machine
Weston Creek residents can now enjoy the convenient location of Commons Court to redeem their containers for 10c back on each. 
Find out more
Check which containers are good to go
Check the label for the ‘10c’ refund mark to see whether your container is eligible and can be returned through the scheme for a 10 cent refund.
Learn more
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OzHarvest Donation Appeal
Donate your containers or refund to OzHarvest and help them rescue food destined for landfill and deliver it to people in need.
Find out more
Weston Creek Reverse Vending Machine
Weston Creek residents can now enjoy the convenient location of Commons Court to redeem their containers for 10 cents back on each. 
Find out more
Check which containers are good to go
Check the label for the ‘10c’ refund mark to see whether your container is eligible and can be returned through the scheme for a 10 cent refund.
Learn mor
Previous slide
Next slide
We have updated our privacy policy. You can view it here.

Well done ACT!

Millions of drink containers are returned through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (ACT CDS) every year. By recycling bottles, cans and cartons, you’re helping to reduce litter and landfill and earning some money along the way.

The ACT Container Deposit Scheme is the smart way to recycle your drink containers.

Every container returned makes an impact.

Map

22

return points available

Return Point Network

309.96
million

containers returned via return points since commencement

Kerbside

233.17 million

containers returned via kerbside since commencement

Container Collection

543.13 million

drink containers returned through the scheme (network + kerbside) since commencement

Redemption

68%

of containers supplied redeemed through the scheme (network + kerbside) in the last 12 months

Satisfaction

84%

Satisfaction among scheme participants

Adults Participation

61%

of ACT adults have participated in the ACT CDS

Support

85%

of ACT adults support the scheme

Map

22

return points available

Return Point Network

309.34 million

containers returned via return points since commencement

Kerbside

233.17 million

containers returned via kerbside since commencement

Container Collection

543.13 million

drink containers returned through the scheme (network + kerbside) since commencement

Redemption

68%

of containers supplied redeemed through the scheme (network + kerbside) in the last 12 months

Satisfaction

84%

Satisfaction among scheme participants.

Adults Participation

61%

of ACT adults have participated in ACT CDS

Support

85%

of ACT adults support the scheme

Find a return point

How does it work?

Video transcript

Find out more

1

Collect eligible containers

Find out which containers can be returned through the ACT CDS for 10 cents each.

Check container eligibility

2

Take containers to a return point

There are different types of return points available. Find the one nearest or most convenient for you.

Find a return point

3

Get your refund

Get 10 cents for each eligible container you return.

Find out more

Returning Containers

Each type of return point offers different refund options.

Drop & Go Pods

Ideal for returning containers close to home.

Self-service and open 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.

Electronic refunds
Donations

Drop & Go Points

Ideal for four to five bags of drink containers at a time.

Self-service and staffed. Open during business hours and weekends.

Electronic refunds
Donations

Cash-back Depots

Ideal for larger quantities of drink containers and instant cash refund.

Staffed with automated counting systems. Open during business hours and weekends.

Cash refunds
Electronic refunds
Donations

Reverse Vending Machine

Ideal for returning containers close to home.

Self-service and open 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.

Electronic refunds
Donations
ACT Donation Station Icon 160

Donation Station

Ideal for on-the-go returns. Donations only.

Self-service and open 7am to 12am, seven days a week.

Donations

Find a return point near you

Latest News

Community
3 Mar

Trading bottles and cans from fresh produce to combat cost of living

With the rising cost of living affecting many locals, the ACT Container Deposit Scheme is helping keep community pantries stocked in the inner north.
Read More
Community
2 Feb

Closing the Loop at Floriade

Closed Loop has once more dramatically reduced waste and landfill created at the annual Floriade event in Canberra, including 46,500 drink containers that were
Read More
Community
1 Jan

Container recycling helps save lives in Canberra hospitals

Canberra hospitals are converting drink containers into a substantial source of funds by recycling them through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).  In a
Read More

Stay Updated
With Our Newsletter

Home - ACT Government logo and ACT CDS Container Deposit Scheme logo
Po Box 3414 Rhodes NSW 2138 | ABN: 12 620 512 469
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T&Cs
PRIVACY
SUPPLIERS

Return Points

Salvos Fyshwick is currently temporarily closed. but there are plenty of other return points across Canberra. Find your nearest one here.

Containers returned at scheme return points

Source: Scheme coordinator, Exchange for Change

This figure is reported monthly.

Containers returned via kerbside collection

Eligible containers collected from household recycling bins are taken to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Hume. The MRF makes a claim at the end of each quarter based on volumes of containers returned during the quarter, therefore this figure is updated once their claim has been reviewed and processed (up to two months post end of the quarter).

Total Containers Returned

Total number of containers collected through the scheme, either via a return point or through kerbside collection, since scheme commencement (June 2018). This figure is reported monthly.

Containers redeemed (network + kerbside)​

The redemption rate is the percentage of eligible containers supplied into ACT which have been redeemed through the scheme, either via a return point or through kerbside collection. This figure is updated quarterly.

Awareness

Source: Instinct and Reason Consumer Research in the ACT CDS (June 2023)

Total participation

Source: Instinct and Reason Consumer Research in the ACT CDS (June 2023)

Support for the Scheme

Source: Instinct and Reason Consumer Research in the ACT CDS (June 2023)