Education
Turn eligible drink containers into fundraising, student learning and real sustainability action for your school.
Your fundraising journey
Get collecting
At this stage, you’ll need to get school leaders on board and nominate your waste champions to help.
- Sign up as a donation partner
- Create an action plan
- Conduct your waste audit
- Set your goals
- Get collecting
As a donation partner, you’ll get access to fundraising support and invite-only workshops, including booking free student incursions and teacher consults. We want to help you succeed.
Start collecting
Here, you’ll want to decide which fundraising approach is best for you.
Will you collect students’ containers at school, ask for families to drop theirs off, get local businesses involved, or all three?
Now’s a great time to learn more about:
Spread the word
Now’s the time to let your school community know about all the amazing work you’re doing. Include updates on your fundraising in:
- Newsletters
- Social media
- Assemblies
Regular reminders on what’s included and how to get involved will keep your supporters engaged – plus, you’ll want to share your wins.
Resources
Bring recycling into the classroom. Easy lesson plans and activities to get students learning about CDS Vic.
Teacher tools
We offer:
- fundraising guides,
- print-ready posters and stickers,
- social media posts
Whether you’re just getting started, or ready to take things to the next level, we’re here to help.
Help students learn about recycling and CDS Vic through interactive games.
Watch videos explaining how the scheme works and how to return containers.
These curriculum-aligned resources help students explore CDS Vic while learning about recycling and sustainability.
Free programs to help you succeed
Student incursion
The CDS Vic School Champions Program, delivered by CERES Community Environment Park, helps schools start or grow their fundraising program through student incursions, teacher support and follow-up guidance. Available for schools within two hours of Melbourne CBD.
Book nowResource Smart Schools
ResourceSmart Schools is a free Victorian Government program. It supports schools to embed sustainability across the school facilities, curriculum and community, while saving resources and money for the school. Keen to learn more?
EmailFighting Extinction Schools
Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction Schools program supports and celebrates schools to act for wildlife. Collecting eligible drink containers through CDS Vic is a simple way for your school to support wildlife while engaging students in sustainability and joining the Fighting Extinction Schools mission.
Learn moreGet your tools for your school to fundraise
CASE STUDIES

At Kew High School in Melbourne’s inner east, there’s a waste revolution going on. The school’s Eco Crew have transformed how students and teachers dispose of their drink containers, and they’ve turned the results into cash through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme.

Congratulations are in order for schools and students across Victoria. The 2025 entrants into the ResourceSmart Schools Awards have thoroughly impressed us.

Newstead Primary School was built in 1877, but with the help of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, it’s moving into the future.