New container deposit scheme machine at Fed Square

Locals in Melbourne’s CBD now have easier and more convenient access to Victoria’s container deposit scheme (CDS) after the state government installed a reverse vending machine at Federation Square in February.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos officially opened the newest addition to the state’s CDS on February 3 with the large reverse vending machine (RVM) now open at Federation Square’s Russell Street Extension.

The new RVM is located in one of the busiest areas of the CBD and can hold up to 30,000 containers at a time, making it the largest of its kind in an Australian city.

Residents, workers and visitors can now cash in their eligible bottles and containers in the heart of Melbourne – as well as at the two smaller RVMs operated by CDS north zone operator, Visy, at Secure Parking locations on Queen and Mackenzie streets.

“Victoria’s CDS is going from strength to strength, and this new reverse vending machine at Federation Square is making recycling easier and more convenient than ever before,” Minister Dimopoulos said.

Since its launch on November 1, 2023, Victorians have embraced the CDS in record numbers – returning more than 1.3 billion bottles and containers and diverting up to one third from landfill in a just over one year.

Over the Christmas and new year period, a huge 90.2 million containers were returned at vending machines across the state.

Victoria’s scheme is the most accessible in the country and it continues to grow, with this new machine adding to the 650 sites already in operation.

Those wanting to cash in their eligible drink containers can take them to the Federation Square RVM and receive a refund of 10 cents per container. •