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
Donation Station
Ideal for on-the-go returns. Donations only.
Self-service open 6am to 12am, 7 days a week.
Donations
Steps to take when returning containers
At drop & go points or pods and bag drops at cash-back depots:
At cash-back depots:
At reverse vending machines:
At donation stations:
Collection service
At drop & go points or pods and bag drops at cash-back depots:
Returning with an ACT CDS app account
- Place your eligible drink containers in a bin liner bag.
- Clearly write your customer ID on each of your bags. Your customer ID can be found at the top of your screen in the ACT CDS app.
- Log in to your ACT CDS account and select your drop off location.
- Follow the prompts on the app and leave your bags in the designated drop zone.
- Your refund will appear in your account within two business days.
Returning without an ACT CDS app account
Available only at drop& go points and cash-back depots.
- Place your eligible drink containers in a bin liner bag and firmly secure.
- Press ‘donate’ on screen at the return point and select from our list of donation partners.
- Follow the prompts on screen to print a label for each of your bags.
- Attach a label to each of your bags.
- Place your bag in the drop off zone.
At cash-back depots:
Returning with an ACT CDS app account
- Place your eligible drink containers in a bin liner bag.
- Clearly write your customer ID on each of your bags. Your customer ID can be found at the top of your screen in the ACT CDS app.
- Log in to your ACT CDS account and select your drop off location.
- Follow the prompts on the app and leave your bags in the designated drop zone.
- Your refund will appear in your account within two business days.
Returning without an ACT CDS app account
- Empty your bag of drink containers in the automated counting machine and press the ‘start’ button.
- Once your containers have been counted, press the ‘stop’ button.
- Grab your receipt
- Claim your refund at the ATM in the depot.
- If you have deposited 1,500 or more containers, you will be required to complete a Refund Declaration Form.
At reverse vending machines:
Returning with an ACT CDS app account
- Scan your customer barcode at the machine.
- Feed each container through the chute to be scanned and counted.
- Press the ‘receipt’ button on screen.
- Your refund will appear in your account within a few business days.
Note: An ACT CDS app account is required to return at this return point type.
At donation stations:
Returning without an ACT CDS app account
- Scan the barcode of your drink container at the machine.
- When the light around the chute turns green, feed your container into the chute.
Collection service
Returning with an ACT CDS app account
- Book a collection.
- Place your eligible drink containers* in a bin liner bag. *A minimum of 300 containers is required to book a collection.
- Label your bags with your customer ID.
- Place your bags outside or meet our driver at the door.
- Your refund will appear in your account within a few business days once your bags have been processed.
Note: An ACT CDS app account is required to return at this return point type.