Cade Lucas
To mark the first anniversary of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) and coinciding with National Recycling Week, a new interactive installation has opened at Scienceworks.
The ‘Message in a Bottle’ installation was launched at the Spotswood museum last week and demonstrates the recycling journey of a plastic bottle.
In keeping with the name, messages written by primary school students about what recycling means to them have been placed inside the plastic bottles used to create the installation aimed at highlighting the importance of recycling and how it shapes the planet.
The installation was officially opened Friday, November 1, which was also the first birthday of CDS Vic.
The scheme which allows Victorians to return eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at over 640 return points across the state, has recycled one billion drink containers since it started on November 1, 2023, generating $100 billion.
The CDS has also helped grassroots organisations generate nearly a million dollars in fundraising and is estimated to have created almost 600 jobs.
Chief executive of scheme coordinator VicReturn, Jim Round, said the CDS was just getting started.
“The journey doesn’t stop here,” Mr Round said.
“We are committed to seeing the scheme go from strength to strength over the next 12 months and the years ahead.”
Mr Round said the CDS’s community fundraising outreach was a key part of this.
“Across the state, we are working with community groups like Scouts and major sporting organisations like AFL Victoria and Tennis Victoria to ensure we reach as many
Victorians as possible,” he said.
Those wanting to visit the Message in a Bottle installation to learn about recycling, can then put that knowledge into practice by bringing their empty drink containers and depositing them at the CDS Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) located in the Scienceworks carpark.
The interactive installation is on display until January 27 next year.
To find out more about CDS Vic and locate your nearest refund point, visit: cdsvic.org.au
National Recycling Week runs from November 11-17. Details: shorturl.at/O4cVO
