Victorians have an opportunity to turn their recycling into real cash, with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) Win A Million Cents competition back for a second year.
Running from 4 May to 14 June 2026, the competition offers five chances to win $10,000 cash – or ‘one million cents’ – simply by returning eligible drink containers through the scheme. Like last year, one of the five lucky winners will score a bonus $10,000 to donate to a registered CDS Vic charity, school, or community group of their choice.
The competition rewards Victorians with one entry for every 50 eligible containers they return in a single transaction, whether they keep the refund or donate it to a CDS Vic charity partner.
Last year’s winners returned containers in Geelong, Gippsland, Wodonga and Melbourne suburbs of Bayswater and Macleod, with the donation prize awarded to Our Haven Wildlife Shelter in Gippsland.
Rewarding Victorians for recycling
Matt Davis, CEO of scheme coordinator VicReturn, said the Win A Million Cents competition rewards Victorians for recycling while helping ease cost-of-living pressures.
“Victorians are embracing CDS Vic not only to build a more sustainable future, but because it puts money back in their pockets. Those 10-cent refunds can quickly add up,” Mr Davis said.
“This competition takes that a step further, with five chances to take home $10,000. With cost-of-living pressures at front of mind for a lot of Victorians, the prize money could make a real difference.”
Strong outcomes
Minister for Environment Enver Erdogan said the scheme continues to deliver strong environmental and financial outcomes.
“Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is transforming the way we recycle, keeping billions of containers out of landfill while supporting families with everyday expenses like groceries and bills,” Mr Erdogan said.
“At a time when households are looking for ways to stretch their budgets, the Win A Million Cents competition is a great incentive for even more people to get involved in CDS Vic.”
To date, more than 3 billion containers have been returned through CDS Vic, putting over $300 million back into pockets of Victorians.
