Victorians in the west help drive

RESIDENTS across western Victoria have helped deliver a major sustainability win, with more than one billion eligible drink containers returned through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) since its launch in November 2023.

People have embraced the scheme, diverting more than 30,000 tonnes of material from landfill and returning $100 million in refunds to local residents, charities and community groups.

Communities like Ballarat and Golden Plains have played an important role. In Ballarat, more than 81 million containers have been returned through a network of convenient refund points, putting over $8 million back into the pockets of locals and community organisations.

In neighbouring Golden Plains, residents have returned more than three million containers, resulting in over $300,000 in refunds and thousands of dollars flowing back to local clubs, schools and community groups.

TOMRA Cleanaway CEO James Dorney said the West Zone’s efforts showed how small, everyday actions add up.

“Every container returned is one less item in landfill or littering our streets and waterways, and one more helping to fund local sport, schools and charities. People across the West Zone should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved so far,” said James Dorney.

Fast facts – CDS Vic and the West Zone

• 1 billion containers returned since November 2023

• More than 30,000 tonnes of material diverted from landfill

• $100 million refunded to residents and community groups

• Over 1,000 local organisations across western Victoria supported through donations

• In Ballarat and Golden Plains alone, >84 million containers have been returned and almost $8.5 million in refunds have gone back to local residents and groups.

TOMRA Cleanaway is encouraging people across western Victoria to:

• Return their eligible drink containers and collect the 10-cent refund

• Consider donating some or all of their refund to a club, school or charity

• Spread the word so even more households get involved

Here’s to the next billion—powered by the people of Victoria’s west. To find your closest refund point in the West Zone, visit tomracleanaway.com.au/victoria.

//SPONSORED CONTENT