Complete Directory

CDS Infrastructure Directory

Complete government, coordinator, network operator, and official contacts for all Australian Container Deposit Schemes by state.

Scheme Information

Name: Return and Earn

Launched: 1 December 2017

Government & Regulatory

Department: Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Minister: Environment & Tourism Minister

Visit Department

EPA NSW, PO Box 1130, Penrith NSW 2750

Scheme Coordinator

Exchange for Change (EfC)

Scheme coordinator - financial management, auditing, fraud identification

Network Operator(s)

TOMRA Cleanaway

Network operator - manages refund point network

Contact: TOMRA Cleanaway NSW

Refund Point Network

Network: 1000+ collection points statewide

Find refund points

Performance Metrics

Containers: 15.4 billion containers returned

Refunds: $1.5 billion refunded

Litter: 40% reduction in drink container litter

Planned Expansion

Announced: September 2025

Effective Date: Mid-2027

New Items: Wine/spirits bottles, cordials, larger containers

Scheme Information

Name: CDS Vic

Launched: 1 November 2023

Government & Regulatory

Department: Resources Victoria (DEECA)

Minister: Environment Minister

Visit Department

Resources Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Scheme Coordinator

VicReturn

Scheme coordinator - not-for-profit administration

Network Operator(s)

Visy (North Zone)

Contact: 1300 220 815

North Zone LGAs

Return-It (East Zone)

Contact: 1300 237 010

East Zone LGAs

TOMRA Cleanaway (West Zone)

Contact: 1800 237 842

West Zone LGAs

Refund Point Network

Network: 600+ collection points across 3 zones

Find refund points

Performance Metrics

Containers: 1+ billion containers returned (first year)

Milestone: Fastest uptake of any government program

Scheme Information

Name: Containers for Change / Container Refund Scheme

Launched: November 2018

Government & Regulatory

Department: Department of Environment and Science (DETSI)

Minister: Hon Andrew Powell MP

Minister for Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Parliamentary Inquiry launched 20 February 2025

Committee: Health, Environment and Innovation Committee

Visit Department

GPO Box 2454, Brisbane QLD 4001

Scheme Coordinator

Container Exchange (COEX)

Scheme coordinator - manages network and operations

Board Members

Network Operator(s)

80+ regional operators operators managing the network

View all operators

Models: Commercial model, Social enterprise, Community-based

Refund Point Network

Network: 360+ refund points across QLD

Types: Depots, Pop-up collection points, Reverse vending machines

Find refund points

Performance Metrics

Containers: 9.5+ billion containers returned

Participation: Various data by region

Parliamentary Inquiry

Report: Report No. 14, 58th Parliament - October 2025

Submissions: ~120 stakeholder submissions

Hearings: 2 public hearings (30 April, 21 May 2025)

Scheme Information

Name: Containers for Change

Launched: 1 October 2020

Government & Regulatory

Department: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)

Minister: Kim Giddens MLA

Environment Minister

Visit Department

Government of Western Australia

Scheme Coordinator

WARRRL (Western Australia Return, Recycle, Renew Limited)

Scheme coordinator - manages overall operations

3-year Behaviour Works Australia behavioral science review (ongoing)

ACNC Charity Registration

Network Operator(s)

Visy

Network operator partner

Regional depot operators

Refund Point Network

Network: 800+ depots and collection points

Types: Depots, Reverse vending machines, Bag drops, Pop-up locations

Find refund points

Performance Metrics

Containers: 4.5+ billion containers collected

Jobs: 800+ jobs created

Planned Expansion

Announced: 10 September 2025

Effective Date: 1 July 2026

New Items: Wine and spirit bottles

Scheme Information

Name: Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)

Launched: 1 September 1977

Australia's longest-running CDS

Government & Regulatory

Department: Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Minister: Hon Dr Susan Close MP

Deputy Premier & Minister for Climate, Environment and Water

Visit Department

EPA SA, Level 2, 11 Wauwi Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Scheme Coordinator

South Australia Recycling Limited (coordinator)

Scheme management and coordination

Refund Point Network

Network: 500+ collection locations

Types: Beverage retailers, Dedicated depots, Super collectors

Find refund points

Performance Metrics

Glass: 88% return rate (glass containers)

Recovery: 99% of returned material recovered

Containers: Historical data - oldest scheme

Planned Expansion

Announced: September 2025

Effective Date:

New Items: Wine and spirit bottles (cordials being considered)

Scheme Information

Name: Container Deposit Scheme

Launched: 1998

Government & Regulatory

Department: Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA)

Visit Department

NTEPA, Darwin NT

Scheme Coordinator

Envirobank NT Pty Ltd

Established: 2008

Marine Stores Pty Ltd

Approved coordinator

NT Coordinators Pty Ltd

Approved coordinator

Can-Recycling (SA) Pty Ltd

Approved coordinator

Refund Point Network

Network: 14+ authorized depots

Find refund points

Performance Metrics

Containers: 80%+ return rate (2025)

Recycling: Effective regional recycling solution

Planned Expansion

Announced: 2025

Effective Date: 1 July 2026

New Items: All beverage containers up to 3 litres (includes wine, milk cartons)

Scheme Information

Name: ACT Container Deposit Scheme

Launched: 2009

Government & Regulatory

Department: ACT Government - Environment

Visit Department

Scheme Coordinator

Exchange for Change (EfC)

Scheme coordinator - manages ACT and NSW schemes

Also coordinates NSW Return and Earn

Network Operator(s)

Re.Turn It

Network operator - manages collection points

Refund Point Network

Network: Multiple collection points across ACT

Find refund points

Regulatory Oversight

Body: Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC)

Price monitoring and regulatory oversight

View monitoring report

Scheme Information

Name: Recycle Rewards

Launched: 1 May 2025

Latest scheme - completes national coverage

Government & Regulatory

Department: Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE)

Minister: Hon Roger Jaensch MP

Minister for Environment and Climate Change

Visit Department

NRE Tasmania, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS 7000

Scheme Coordinator

TasRecycle (Scheme Coordinator)

Board Members

Network Operator(s)

TOMRA Cleanaway (Network Operator)

Establishes and maintains 49 refund points statewide

Refund Point Network

Network: 49 designated refund points

Types: Depots, Reverse vending machines, Over-the-counter

Includes King Island and Flinders Island

Find refund points

Performance Metrics

Containers: 100+ million returned (first year achievement)

Donations: $232K+ donated to 620+ charities

Households: 13+ million containers in first reporting period

📍 Australia's first continent with complete national CDS coverage

Federal Oversight & Research

Productivity Commission

Circular Economy Inquiry (2025) - Federal government analysis of CDS performance and scalability across all schemes

View inquiry report

Clean Energy Regulator

Tracks container deposit scheme performance data and environmental impact metrics across all jurisdictions

The 10c Recycling Games
Return for a Cause

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Last updated: June 2026 | Governed by the laws of Western Australia, Australia

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About this initiative

The 10c Recycling Games — powered by Return for a Cause, Australia's largest ever social & environmental impact experiment — is a planned national initiative currently in its Expression of Interest (EOI) phase, with launch anticipated in Australia in the coming months. This website presents the program framework, supporting research, and data analysis in preparation for that launch.

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2. Audit & Performance Analysis

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