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Oz Harvest Donation Appeal
When you return your empty drink containers through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme, you can donate your refund to OzHarvest and support them as they save food from landfill and provide it to people in need.
Find out how
ACT CDS turns 5!
ACT CDS turns 5 and to celebrate we want to reward environmental champions. Enter the Canberra Times ACT CDS Enviro Champion Competition for your chance to win $500!
Enter now
Recycle from home or work
The ACT Container Deposit Scheme now has a mobile collection service called ReCollect. If you are chilling at home or busy at work. ReCollect will come to you.
Learn more
ACT Container Deposit Scheme expansion
Have your say on expanding the container deposit scheme to include more eligible drink containers.
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
What's the impact of your recycling?
Every container returned through the ACT CDS helps our environment.
Calculate your impact
How are drink containers recycled?
Ever wondered what happens to your containers after you drop them off at the ACT CDS?
Find out
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
What's the impact of your recycling?
Every container returned through the ACT CDS helps our environment. Calculate your impact now!
Calculate your impact
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
Erindale Reverse Vending Machine
Save time and fuel by returning your drink containers at our Erindale reverse vending machine next time you go shopping.
Find out more
Kaleen Kids inspire community to recycle
Find out how the Kaleen Kids are recycling containers to help the environment and earn some pocket money along the way.
Read more
!
Return points across ACT are open. When visiting, please ensure you comply with the latest Public Health Directives and maintain social distancing from others.
!

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

19

return points available

Return Point Network

205 million

containers returned via return points since commencement

Kerbside2

192 million

containers returned via kerbside since commencement

Container Collection

392 million

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

Redemption

75%

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

Satisfaction

81%

Satisfaction among scheme participants

Adults Participation

66%

of ACT adults have participated in the ACT CDS

Support

79%

of ACT adults support the scheme

Map

19

return points available

Return Point Network

205 million

containers returned via return points since commencement

Kerbside2

192 million

containers returned via kerbside since commencement

Container Collection

392 million

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

Redemption

75%

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

Satisfaction

81%

Satisfaction among scheme participants.

Adults Participation

66%

of ACT adults have participated in ACT CDS

Support

79%

of ACT adults support the scheme

Find a return point

How does it work?

Find out more

Collect Eligible Containers
1

Collect eligible containers

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

Check container eligibility

Take Containers To A Return Point
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

Get Your Refundor Donate
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

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 And Go Icon

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

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

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

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

National Recycling week
Media Release
11 Nov

ACT CDS celebrates National Recycling Week with launch of impact calculator

“Sometimes the world’s environmental problems can seem overwhelming,” said Danielle Smalley, CEO of Exchange for Change, the organisation charged with administering the ACT Container
Read More
Danes Saving
Community
8 Aug

Saving for the future with the ACT Container Deposit Scheme 

ACT local Simone Wright and her five-year-old son Dane have been collecting drink containers from around the Gungahlin area for more than a year
Read More
Aspen Medical And St Judes
Community, School
8 Aug

Local business Aspen Medical and St Jude’s Primary School team up to help Kenyan school children through bottle recycling 

Maricel Giorgioni  from Aspen Medical is working with her colleagues and local schools to raise money for charity by collecting and returning drink containers
Read More
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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 quarterly.

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 2022)

Total participation

Source: Instinct and Reason Consumer Research in the ACT CDS (June 2022)

Support for the Scheme

Source: Instinct and Reason Consumer Research in the ACT CDS (June 2022)