Anyone old enough might remember the cash-for-cans scheme that provided pocket money to Victorian kids in the 1980s until it was scrapped.

Now one Melbourne council is tapping into that spirit by installing vending machines that dispense vouchers, competition entries or charity donations when people insert aluminium cans and plastic bottles to be recycled.

One of the reverse vending machines introduced by Wyndham City Council. Credit:Wyndham City Council

This month Wyndham City Council installed three of the machines, which can hold up to 2000 bottles or cans before they need to be emptied..

Wyndham City says it is the only municipality in Victoria to roll out the machines.