A record 90.2 million drink containers were returned to Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) over the Christmas and New Year period.
The Williamstown Depot, operated by Citizen Blue (New South Wales community-driven container collectors), recorded the highest container refunds between 16 December 2024 and the 5 January 2025.
To continue the record-breaking summer, CDS Vic has partnered with Tennis Australia to support grassroots tennis and keep trash out of landfill at the Australian Open (AO).
As part of the partnership, 38,000 reusable cups, manufactured in Victoria by bettercup, will be used throughout the Melbourne Australian Open season – avoiding more than 400 kilograms of single-use plastic waste.
Last year’s popular ‘Trash Talkers’ which provided information and supported fans in correctly disposing of their waste, will return, along with recycling hubs to support programs for children and young people to get active with tennis in Victoria.
Refunds from containers collected at AO 2025 will be directed towards the Australian Tennis Foundation’s tennis programs for disadvantaged children and young people.
Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment, said the CDS has returned more than $9 million back in Victorians’ pockets over the festive season.
“This partnership with Tennis Australia makes our world-class grand slam the top in sustainability, avoiding 400 kilograms of waste and promoting of circular solutions like reusable cups,” said Dimopoulos.
“Meanwhile we are also advancing recycling via the CDS Vic scheme, with funds going back to tennis programs for kids in Victoria.”
For more information, visit: www.vic.gov.au/container-deposit-scheme
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