Regulation and oversight

Recycling Victoria's statutory role is defined in the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 (the CE Act) and Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations).

Recycling Victoria’s responsibilities include:

• managing, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with Scheme Coordinator and Zone Operator agreements (which set out the contractual obligations of scheme participants to establish and operate CDS Vic)
• ensuring compliance with statutory provisions
• making decisions in relation to first suppliers and eligible containers
• publishing guidelines and issuing directions to scheme participants
• establishing branding and marketing guidelines for CDS Vic
• collecting information and providing advice to the Victorian Government
• establishing Material Recovery Facilities and Local Government Refund Sharing protocols
• taking action where compliance and other issues are identified.

Scheme payments and contributions methodology

The Scheme Payments and Contribution Methodology (SPCM) outlines the calculation, nature and timing of scheme payments made to and by the CDS Vic Scheme Coordinator.

The SPCM sets out the arrangements for first suppliers’ scheme contributions, export payments, network fees payable to Zone Operators, the service fee payable to Recycling Victoria, refund payments to material recovery facility operators and how financial penalties are charged and collected. The SPCM is approved by the Minister for Environment and may be updated from time to time.

Consultation on regulation and oversight

Throughout the development of CDS Vic, we have consulted with the recycling industry, local government, Alpine Resorts Victoria, and the beverage industry to ensure CDS Vic will benefit all Victorians and maximise the return of drink containers for recycling.

Determination instruments