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Home / Regulations / Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) A

Victorian beverage container supplier obligations

Check whether your business is a first supplier in Victoria and confirm beverage container registration, approval and supply agreements with VicReturn.

Illustration accompanying Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 — Beverage Containers
Illustrative image

Sources checked 18 September 2026. Scope: Victoria, with Australian schemes identified where relevant.

A business making the first supply of an eligible beverage container in Victoria should check its VicReturn obligations before supply. Returning empties is a different role from being a first supplier. Source: VicReturn — First Suppliers: Frequently Asked Questions.

What applies

VicReturn explains that first suppliers need relevant supply arrangements and approval for eligible container classes. Manufacturers, importers, distributors or retailers can be first suppliers depending on how products enter Victoria. Confirm your role rather than assuming every retailer has identical obligations. Source: VicReturn — First Suppliers: Frequently Asked Questions.

Practical checks for your business

These suggested planning steps help organise site information; they are not an exhaustive legal compliance checklist.

  1. Map who first supplies each product in Victoria, including imported and contract-bottled beverages.
  2. Ask VicReturn to confirm registration, approval and agreement requirements for that supply chain.
  3. Keep product identifiers and reporting responsibilities together. Review them before introducing a beverage or changing supplier.

Confirm the requirement for your site

For a disputed requirement or enforcement issue, ask the relevant authority or qualified adviser to identify the current provision and how it applies. Do not rely on an old penalty amount or general website summary.

Keep a usable decision record

Keep assessments, acceptance conditions, responsible contacts and supporting records together. Note what needs confirmation before changing the service or starting work.

Common question

Does collecting empties make us a first supplier?

Collection and beverage supply are different activities. Resolve first-supplier status from your actual supply chain with VicReturn.

Discuss your collection requirements

Contact Bundle Waste with the waste type, site and collection requirements. Keep specialist legal, environmental or safety assessment separate from the collection request.

Sources

Primary guidance checked 18 September 2026. Review due 18 October 2026, or sooner if requirements change.