At the heart of Yarraville, something as simple as returning bottles and cans is helping transform lives.

Yarraville Community Centre has become a vital hub for connection, learning, and support – now strengthened by its role as a local refund point in CDS Vic’s West Zone, delivered in partnership with TOMRA Cleanaway.

This collaboration is not only driving recycling outcomes – it is helping support programs that underpin the wellbeing and resilience of the local community.

Recycling with Purpose

Through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic), community members can return eligible bottles and cans for a refund. At Yarraville, this everyday act has taken on deeper meaning.

“The demographic is incredibly broad – from families and older locals to migrants and people experiencing hardship. It reflects the true diversity of our community,” says Jessie Deane, CEO of Yarraville Community Centre.

For many, the visit is transactional – but for the Centre, it represents a powerful opportunity for engagement.

“The container deposit scheme brings people through our doors who might not otherwise engage with us and that creates incredibly valuable opportunities for connection,” Jessie explains.

As people come to return containers, they step into a welcoming community environment. Some are managing multiple priorities – collecting refunds, accessing food relief, or simply looking for a place to connect.

“Often people don’t walk in and ask for help – they present in other ways. What the refund point does is give us that first point of contact, and from there, we can build trust and connection.”

While each container offers only a modest return, the collective impact is significant.

The income generated through the CDS refund point is reinvested in community programs, helping the Centre continue to deliver services.

“We don’t get much from each container, but every single one adds up—and every dollar goes straight back into our programs,” Jessie says.

This funding helps assist two cornerstone areas:

Food is one of the most effective ways the Centre builds connection and trust.

Through programs like Nourish, the Centre provides:

• A food pantry for those in need
• Community meals prepared by a chef and volunteers
• Events that bring people together through cooking and sharing food

“Food is one of the most powerful ways we bring people together. Programs like Nourish create connection, dignity, and a sense of belonging,” Jessie says.

These initiatives do more than fill cupboards – they create safe, inclusive spaces where people can build relationships and access broader support.

“Our food relief work isn’t just about meeting immediate needs—it’s a gateway to deeper engagement and support.”

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Yarraville Neighbourhood House delivers a range of education programs, including:

• Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
• Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)
• Vocational Education and Training (VET)

For many participants – particularly migrants – education is the gateway to opportunity.

“Education is something we are incredibly proud of. For many people, especially those new to Australia, it’s the key that unlocks everything else.”

“Through our learning programs, we’re not just building skills—we’re opening doors to independence, employment, and participation in the community.”

With 56 staff across three sites, Yarraville Neighbourhood House operates on tight margins. Funding from container returns, along with other hosting income, is not a bonus – it is an important subsidy.

In this context, the refund point has become an example of how environmental infrastructure can power social outcomes—aligning sustainability goals with tangible community impact.

More Than a Refund Point

What sets Yarraville Community Centre apart is how seamlessly the CDS operation integrates into its broader mission.

Visitors might arrive to recycle, but they encounter:

• The Chatting Café, offering connection over tea
• Access to informal advice and referrals
• Community events, workshops, and activities

“It’s not just about recycling. It’s about creating a space where people feel welcome, and where support can start naturally, just by showing up.”

This layered approach transforms a simple transaction into a gateway for inclusion and support.

Over the past two years, the Centre has seen a dramatic shift in demographics and needs, driven by cost-of-living pressures and increasing diversity within the community.

“In the past two years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in who is coming through our doors and what they need. That means we have to stay flexible and responsive,” Jessie says.

Throughout this change, one principle remains constant:

“Our approach is always grounded in community engagement. How people present is irrelevant – it’s about meeting them where they are, without judgement.”

While the CDS refund point is already making a meaningful difference, there is still more to be done.

“If we had one wish, it would be a dedicated community development role – someone focused on identifying emerging needs and helping us respond in a more targeted way.”

At Yarraville Community Centre, the impact of recycling extends far beyond environmental outcomes.

“What’s powerful about the refund point is that it connects environmental action with community impact – it’s a circular model that benefits everyone.”

Each returned container becomes part of a cycle of support:

• Waste is reduced
• Funds are generated
• Programs are sustained
• Lives are supported

It’s a simple idea with profound results – proof that when infrastructure, partnership, and community purpose align, even the smallest actions can create lasting change.

TOMRA Cleanaway’s General Manager for Victoria, Tony Catania reflects on the importance of the partnership to the CDS Vic West Zone network, “True community impact comes from partnerships built on shared value. Yarraville Community Centre, under Jessie’s leadership, is a powerful example of what’s possible when we place community at the heart of our network – creating not just refund points, but meaningful local connections that deliver lasting environmental and social outcomes.”

Your eligible drink containers can help support the great work that the Yarraville Community Centre is doing – visit the YCC CDS Vic reverse vending machine today at 59 Francis Street, Yarraville.