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Warrnambool residents will soon have a new way to recycle on the go, with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) rolling out bin baskets across the community.
Delivered in partnership with Warrnambool City Council, the trial will see specially designed baskets installed on public litter bins, making it easy to leave eligible drink containers for others to collect and return for a 10-cent refund.
A total of 50 baskets will be placed in high-traffic areas such as Lake Pertobe, the foreshore, the city centre and the Botanic Gardens.
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said that drink containers are one of the most common items found in public bins, particularly in parks.
“We undertook an audit of some of our public bins, and up to 25 per cent of their contents were CDS-eligible containers,” he said.
“These new baskets are an easy way to make sure these containers are recycled, and they can also help community members who collect containers to earn the 10-cent refund.
“These baskets have been introduced in other parts of Victoria and have proved successful, with audits by Yarra Ranges Council demonstrating a 74 per cent reduction in eligible containers in bins where baskets were installed.
“If using the baskets, please leave the labels on bottles and remember not to crush your cans, as the barcode needs to be scanned at the CDS refund point in order to receive the 10-cent refund.”
Matt Davis, CEO of scheme coordinator VicReturn, said that while 3 billion drink containers have been returned through CDS Vic since the scheme’s launch in November 2023, the bin baskets will help capture more containers in public spaces, which has been challenging.
“When you’re out and about, look for a CDS Vic bin basket. Leave your eligible containers for someone else, or take them with you to return at your nearest refund point,” Mr Davis said.
In Warrnambool, CDS Vic refund points are located at are-able on Albert Street, Dan Murphy’s, Gateway Plaza, the Homemaker Centre and the Dennington Woolworths.