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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

18

return points available

Return Point Network

399.29
million

containers returned via return points since commencement

Kerbside

272.93 million

containers returned via kerbside since commencement

Container Collection

672.22 million

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

Redemption

69%

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

Satisfaction

80%

Satisfaction among scheme participants

Adults Participation

70%

of ACT adults have participated in the ACT CDS

Support

90%

of ACT adults support the scheme

How does it work?

1

Collect eligible containers

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

2

Take containers to a return point

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

3

Get your refund

Get 10 cents for each eligible container you return.

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

Latest News

Family returning at a Drop & Go Pod
Community
7 Jul

New return points to mark ACT Container Deposit Scheme’s seven years of success

The ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is celebrating its 7th birthday including seven years of success that has resulted in nearly 400 million bottles,
ACT Kingsford Smith School 12
Community
6 Jun

Kingsford Smith School students lead on recycling and reap the rewards

https://youtu.be/Fx1Cz1spUx4 What started as a math class exercise, in a few short years, has turned into a fundraising opportunity that is getting students at
ACT Pickelball 15 (1)
Community
6 Jun

Pickleball ACT is giving recycling their best shot

https://youtu.be/0nG8Z2CBAy0 In the past five years Pickleball ACT has grown from 5 to 900 members, and as the clubexpanded, so too did their waste

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Return Points

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 & Reason consumer research, December 2024

Total participation

Source: Instinct & Reason consumer research, December 2024

Support for the Scheme

Source: Instinct & Reason consumer research, December 2024