CDS Vic and Clean Up Australia team up

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) is rolling up its sleeves for Clean Up Australia Day, joining the nation’s largest community-driven environmental event this Sunday (March 2), as it celebrates its 35th year.

The CDS Vic team will be on the ground and on the water of the Yarra River clean-up site, collecting litter and educating the community about how eligible drink containers can be recycled through the scheme instead of polluting waterways.

Beverage containers account for 15 per cent of litter nationwide, according to Clean Up Australia’s annual Litter Report. But there’s good news – container deposit schemes are proving to have a huge impact on litter reduction.

The New South Wales scheme has contributed to a 13.6 per cent drop in litter from beverage containers since its launch in 2017. Victoria is expected to follow suit as participation in CDS Vic continues to grow.

Jim Round, Chief Executive Officer of VicReturn, the scheme co-ordinator of CDS Vic, said the partnership highlights a shared commitment to a more sustainable Victoria.

“Clean Up Australia is dedicated to reducing litter and driving positive change. That’s why we’re thrilled to join them for Clean Up Australia Day, encouraging Victorians to take positive actions.

“Whether you join a Clean Up event near you or return your eligible containers through CDS Vic, every action counts. Plus, you can donate your refunds to Clean Up Australia to support their ongoing work,” Round said.

Chair of Clean Up Australia, Pip Kiernan, highlighted the important role container deposit schemes play in keeping communities cleaner.

“Recycling programs around Australia and the world have significantly reduced litter and increased recycling rates. Through the simple act of returning eligible drink containers, community groups can raise funds while helping to create a cleaner Victoria.”

Victorians can support Clean Up Australia by joining a local Clean Up Australia Day event by registering at register.cleanup.org.au/join-a-clean-up. In 2024 more than one million Australians registered to participate across more than 16,000 Clean Up Australia Day sites.

Since the launch of CDS Vic in November 2023:

$1000 in donations for Clean Up Australia, with 10,000 drink containers returned through the scheme
Charities and community groups raised $1.5 million through container refunds.
46 billion drink containers have been returned scheme-wide, totaling $146 million in refunds back to Victorians.

For more information, visit: www.cdsvic.org.au to learn more about the scheme and find your nearest refund point.