Swan Hill Residents Can Now Recycle CDS Containers in Simple Drop-Off Baskets

Swan Hill Rural City Council has introduced new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) recycling baskets under the Don't bin it, share it initiative to increase beverage container recovery. These baskets allow residents to donate eligible containers to community groups, which then claim the associated refund credits, according to council announcements on June 17, 2026.

The program provides a secondary collection method for residents who prefer not to claim the financial incentive of the CDS personally. By placing these baskets in accessible public locations, the council aims to divert more plastic, glass, and aluminum from local landfills.

How do the CDS recycling baskets work?

The Don't bin it, share it system operates by placing designated collection baskets in high-traffic areas across the Swan Hill region. Residents deposit eligible beverage containers into these baskets instead of placing them in general waste or residential recycling bins.

Once the baskets are full, nominated local community organizations or charities collect the materials. These groups then transport the containers to an authorized CDS refund point to collect the 10-cent refund per eligible item. This process turns household waste into a funding stream for local community projects.

How does this differ from standard CDS returns?

The community basket model removes the logistical barriers associated with standard container returns. In a typical CDS transaction, an individual must store containers and transport them to a reverse vending machine (RVM) or a licensed collection point to receive a payment.

The council’s new initiative contrasts with the individual incentive model in three primary ways:

• Convenience: Baskets are placed in public spaces, eliminating the need for residents to drive to a centralized refund center.
• Beneficiary: The financial reward shifts from the individual consumer to a local charitable organization.
• Participation: The low-friction nature of the baskets encourages participation from residents who find the 10-cent per-item return too small to justify the trip to a processing center.

Why is this initiative being implemented in Swan Hill?

The rollout is part of a broader effort to improve waste diversion rates within the Swan Hill Rural City Council jurisdiction. By integrating community-led collection, the council can capture materials that would otherwise enter the general waste stream.

This approach follows a precedent seen in other regional Victorian hubs where community baskets have successfully increased the volume of recovered aluminum and PET plastic. These materials are more efficiently processed when sorted at the source rather than through mixed municipal recycling systems.

The initiative also addresses the specific needs of rural areas where the distance to a commercial RVM may be significant, making individual returns less practical for some residents.

What containers are eligible for the baskets?

Eligible items generally include beverage containers made of plastic, glass, or aluminum that carry the CDS label. This typically encompasses water bottles, soft drink containers, and beer or cider bottles.

Council guidelines specify that containers must be empty and the lids should be replaced or removed according to the specific scheme requirements to avoid contaminating other recyclable materials in the baskets.