Residents in South West Victoria have pocketed over $2 million dollars in refunds since the commencement of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, CDS Vic, on 1 November 2023 thanks to the TOMRA Cleanaway CDS Vic West Zone network.

Since scheme commencement, over $2,150,000 in refunds has been returned to local residents and community groups across the 5 local government areas that make up Victoria’s south west, with the City of Warrnambool having returned over 10.9 million eligible drink containers alone.

In Warrnambool the success of the scheme has allowed are-able, a disability service provider with a long history in the Warrnambool region, to increase its employee numbers. Are-able operate the regions only bulk container deposit location, at 11 Albert Street Warrnambool, located next to ‘The Big R’s Shed’.

Are-able’s ‘recycling hub’ for Warrnambool residents

Paul Hughes, General Manager of Social Enterprises at are-able remarked that with the addition of the CDS Vic Depot on site, it has turned the are-able facility into a ‘recycling hub’.

“You can bring just about anything down to Albert Street now, from cans, electronic waste, clothes and more.” he said.

Are-able NDIS services manager Nick Membery said the scheme was a win-win for all parties.

“The Container Deposit Scheme means we are getting closer to our goal of all elements in our production cycle being used or recycled, minimising pollution and waste,” he said. “The scheme also represents another sustainable employment opportunity for people living with disabilities, which is a core focus of our organisation.”

Jim Round, CEO of VicReturn the scheme coordinator for CDS Vic, recently visited the are-able Depot in Warrnambool and remarked “I have loved visiting the Reverse Vending Machine in Terang and the depot in Warrnambool to see first-hand how these sites are giving back to the community, not only by giving people the option to donate their refunds but also by creating meaningful jobs and community connections.”

Are-able Team, pictured above, ready to welcome scheme users to the CDS Vic Depot Warrnambool

This article originally appeared in the Warrnambool Standard