VicReturn partners with Sports Environment Alliance

More than 1.8 billion drink bottles, cans and containers have been returned to the circular economy since Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) was launched in 2023. Yet, despite the volume, nearly 40% of eligible containers still end up in landfill.

“The sport and events sectors provide a real opportunity to improve CDS Vic collection rates and implement material recovery facility streams for their waste collection. That's why are excited to be partnering with the Sports Environment Alliance,” said Jim Round, CEO of scheme coordinator VicReturn.

“We are working with the business community and facility managers across stadia, sports clubs and small to large-scale events, to help them embrace the scheme as enthusiastically as consumers have,” he added.

VicReturn led a sector-specific workshop titled ‘Making Change for Sport’ at the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) Summit on 14 May at Melbourne’s MCG.

Over 80 leaders came together, representing Australia’s stadia, private leisure centres, gyms, major events, local government, grassroots sports clubs and sports associations. The goal was to share insights, identify barriers and develop practical solutions for using the scheme to make environmental impacts while boosting revenue.

Large venues and stadium operators expressed both enthusiasm and concerns around the logistics of embedding CDS Vic into their operations.

One attendee — a representative from a Queensland statutory authority with experience managing stadiums under that state’s Containers for Change scheme — highlighted key considerations:

• Fit-for-purpose infrastructure: public-facing bins must be designed to reduce contamination, meet safety standards and complement the venue’s aesthetic.
• Strategic placement: bins need to be well-branded, visible and included in future upgrades to facilities.
• Secure storage: facilities must plan for back-of-house storage that keeps containers safe and accessible until collection.
   

Venue managers also raised the need for casual and rotating staff to be trained on CDS procedures and for budget considerations to be addressed — especially when retrofitting waste systems into existing venues.

Another key topic was ownership of refunds from collected containers. Should the funds go to the hirer or the venue? The group agreed that this grey area requires contractual clarity and early planning to avoid disputes.

Local governments are uniquely positioned to support CDS Vic across community sportsgrounds, parks and local events. VicReturn is currently rolling out bin cradle trials in targeted LGAs to provide options for public place recycling and container access for those collecting.

The workshop identified other practical ways councils can drive scheme participation, including:

• Infrastructure support: provide branded bins and storage cages, and include bin placement in planning for parks and sports facility upgrades.
• Community education: assist clubs and schools in understanding container eligibility, promote correct use and leverage council communications channels to spread the word.
• Logistics partnerships: help clubs connect with commercial pick-up services or coordinate shared transport to Refund Points.
   

By making CDS visible and easy at the local level, councils can enable consistent participation while supporting environmental and fundraising goals.

For community sports clubs, CDS Vic is more than just a recycling initiative — it’s a fundraising tool and a way to bring people together around a shared environmental goal.

Attendees shared real examples of success: clubs using container returns to fund equipment, uniforms and even local sustainability initiatives. One club made $30,000 through collections. Others partnered with disability support organisations which manage the collections and share in the revenue.

Still, the sector faces familiar hurdles:

• Lack of awareness: many clubs didn’t realise bulk collection or commercial pick-ups were available.
• Limited resources: with few dedicated volunteers, it can be difficult to assign responsibility for managing collections.
   

What clubs need is localised support, real-world case studies, and clear communication of both the financial and environmental benefits. Once someone takes ownership — be it a coach, volunteer or committee member — others tend to follow.

Across stadia, councils and community sport, one message stood out: success hinges on ownership. Whether it’s a sustainability manager, a local waste officer or a passionate club volunteer, having a dedicated person driving the initiative ensures bins are used properly, funds are collected and the message reaches the right people.

“One of the best things about the scheme, aside from the sustainability impacts of course, is that it provides a revenue stream for community groups,” Round said during the workshop. “What’s the largest community sector Victorians love and engage with? Sport, particularly AFL Victoria, which has about 1000 clubs, including juniors.

“We’ve given sports organisations training on how to use the scheme to fundraise, and we’ve had some great examples of where that’s gone really well — including Alexandra Football Netball Club, which has made over $28,000.”

Round encouraged attendees to take the message to their own communities: “Tell them: ‘We care about the environment, we care about the community, we know you care about us — so let’s do a fundraising drive’. You might only make $3000–4000, but for a small club, that’s a big deal.”

During the 2025 Australian Open, almost one million containers were recycled through CDS Vic — equating to nearly $100,000 in returns, all donated to the Australian Tennis Foundation. VicReturn is also now working with venues such as the Palais Theatre and partnering with hotels and bars to help them get paid for the bottles and cans patrons leave behind.

By making container returns easy, visible, and rewarding, VicReturn says Victoria has a clear path forward — one that depends on partnership, practicality and people power.