East Gippsland Shire Council is excited about the launch of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, which started last Wednesday, November 1.
In Gippsland, the scheme is being coordinated by Return-It.
In the initial rollout, there will be six sites in East Gippsland: Orbost, Mallacoota, Lakes Entrance, Omeo and Bairnsdale.
Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ODCCI) president, Samantha Reynolds, was the first to use the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) at IGA X-Press Orbost and found the process relatively straightforward.
“The instructions are clearly outlined on the machine and once you download the app on your smart phone and place in your bank account details, the funds were processed back into my account within six hours I had deposited the items,” Ms Reynolds said.
“There is an option to donate the refund back to a community organisation or charity and we are hopeful that we will sign up the Orbost Christmas Eve Festival as a charity partner to create further revenue for the event.”
State-of-the-art machines will allow community members to deposit eligible containers and receive a 10-cent refund.

IMAGE: Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Samantha Reynolds, was the first to use the Reverse Vending Machine at IGA in Orbost, as part of the launch of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme which started on November 1.