Eager Garden State recyclers will be offered the chance to win a million cents – $10,000 – in Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme’s (CDS Vic) recycling competition.
CDS Vic’s Win a Million! Cents competition upholds the scheme’s aspirations to instil sustainable waste management practices in all Victorians by awarding five participants a $10,000 cash prize each for returning empty drink containers.
Since launching in November 2023, CDS Vic has been readily embraced by Victorians, with 1.7 billion drink containers returned and $170 million given back to Victorians. For every eligible drink container returned to CDS Vic, individuals and community groups receive a 10 cent refund.
Positive ripple effect on community fundraising
Win a Million! Cents runs from 5 May to 15 June 2025 and automatically gifts customers with one entry for every 50 eligible containers returned in a single transaction, even if they opt to keep the refund or donate it to one of the registered donation partners. One of the five winners will win an additional $10,000 to donate to a registered charity, school or community group of their choice.
CDS Vic CEO Jim Round says it has been heartwarming to witness Victorians participate in the scheme with enthusiasm and gusto. “I’m so proud of how Victorians have embraced the scheme and the positive impact it is having on sustainability and community fundraising.”
Round says the Win a Million! Cents competition is a way of extending gratitude towards Victorians.“The competition is a fun way to thank Victorians for their support and to encourage even more participation.”.
The competition was launched today at the North and West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre (NWMNC) in Errol Street, North Melbourne. The NWMNC is a scheme donation partner and over-the-counter refund point where recyclers can donate eligible drink containers in exchange for a refund.
NWMNC’s participation in CDS Vic has enabled the centre to conduct programs for the local community. The centre has impressively processed more than 100,000 containers, returning over $10,000 to the local community and raising more than $7,500.
NWMNC’s director Ariel Valent shares some of the exciting and beneficial community programs made possible by participating in CDS Vic.
“Our popular programs include Homework Clubs, bus trips for seniors, publishing a volunteer-run community newspaper and presenting the Queensberry Cup, North Melbourne’s iconic billycart race and street festival held every October,” he says.
The competition is only open to Victorian residents. Entry details, application forms and terms and conditions are available here.
Sustainable waste management enters the AFL ground.
