North Footscray Football Netball Club are one of hundreds of community clubs across the state raising funds through CDS Vic. Image: Craig Dooley
More than 300 Victorian footy clubs have now added recycling cans and bottles as a way to raise funds for their club, thanks to Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic).
The milestone comes as Victorians statewide ticked past $3.5 million in donated refunds raised through the scheme since its inception in November 2023. Over $260,000 of that was contributed specifically to community footy clubs.
At Glen Waverley’s Mazenod Old Collegians, the impact has already been significant. In 2025 alone, the club raised approximately $900 through the Container Deposit Scheme, with funds used to purchase new footballs for both the men’s and women’s programs.
The initiative has helped ease operational costs while also creating stronger awareness around sustainability and collective responsibility within the club community.
In the west, Maribyrnong Park Football Club has embraced the Container Deposit Scheme as both a community initiative and an additional revenue stream.
For coach Darin Milner, it carries an important educational dimension, teaching young members something meaningful about recycling and sustainability. He's emphatic that the process is straightforward, and encourages football clubs across the state to get involved.
"Many kids are already aware of environmental issues but often feel uncertain about what they can actually do. When they see sustainability initiatives playing out at their own club, it becomes tangible,” Milner said.
For Phillip Island Football Netball Club, the recycling scheme’s impact has been nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to a young member named Jess and his family, the club has collected over 60,000 cans, generating $6,000 in returns, funding the purchase of a defibrillator for the netball courts.
Chris Ross, President of Phillip Island FNC said the club has eight bins around the grounds. “We’ve got a lot of thirsty people in Phillip Island which is good for the environment and the money for the club,” he joked.
Phillip Island FNC and Maribyrnong Park FC recently won Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme Sustainability Awards for their efforts, a testament to the volunteers involved at both clubs.
All Victorian AFL Victoria-aligned clubs are eligible to fundraise through the scheme. Just activate your unique Donation Partner ID to allow club members and the community to donate their 10-cent refunds directly into the club's bank account.
Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, encouraged all clubs who are yet to get involved to get in touch with their Club Development Lead for assistance, with the aim of seeing all Victorian clubs benefiting from the funds.
“Clubs are already raising funds via the canteen and bar, and just by setting aside some bins or CDS bags for recycling can add to that valuable revenue stream,” Madigan said.
“We have seen some extraordinary efforts from clubs who have gone above and beyond to rally their wider community, sponsors and other local businesses to collect containers and drive significant financial outcomes. Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is also a great way to engage young volunteers to help your community, and the environment in the process."
North Footscray
Phillip Island
Surf Coast Suns
Maribyrnong Park
Black Rock
If your club needs assistance activating your Donation Partner ID or maximising your fundraising with Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, take a minute to complete this survey and AFL Victoria will be in touch.