BRIMBANK NORTH WEST
Home » News » Recycling message in bottles

Recycling message in bottles

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.

Chief executive of scheme co-ordinator 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.

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.

Cade Lucas

Digital Editions


  • Watergardens parking woes

    Watergardens parking woes

    Residents have raised concerns about illegal parking and a shortage of carparks at the Watergardens precinct. Brimbank resident Neil Hunichen expressed safety concerns over motorists…

More News

  • Williamstown cold case mystery

    Williamstown cold case mystery

    Thirty-two years ago, 79-year-old Leah Buck was attacked and robbed in Williamstown in broad daylight. The severe injuries she sustained would result in her death the following day. Her attacker…

  • CPR presentation

    CPR presentation

    Brimbank locals can join Ambulance Victoria for a friendly and helpful session about keeping young children healthy and safe. The ‘call, push, shock’ (CPR) presentation, for parents, carers, and anyone…

  • Community garden produce stolen

    Community garden produce stolen

    Volunteers at Horseshoe Bend Community Group (HBCG) have been left shocked after a large quantity of ripened vegetables were stolen from a community garden. President Cynthia Frain said the theft…

  • Faces of the west

    Faces of the west

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 532699 Each week Star Weekly photographers are out and about capturing events and people across the west.

  • Parkers run over

    Parkers run over

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 449514 For the first time in five seasons, there will be no Deer Park in the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant premier division grand final.…

  • My Place

    My Place

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 533986 Kate Newitt is the principal of the recently de-merged Hillside Primary School. She spoke to Sam Porter about her role and her connection…

  • Ardeer grassfire, smoke warning

    Ardeer grassfire, smoke warning

    Firefighters responded to a grassfire on Ballarat Road in Ardeer on the afternoon of Tuesday 17 February. Crews arrived on scene to find a grass and scrub fire burning across…

  • Seedlings for schools

    Seedlings for schools

    Public and private early learning centres, family day cares and schools within Brimbank can sign up for the autumn rollout of the ’veggie seedlings in schools’ program to receive a…

  • Total fire ban declared

    Total fire ban declared

    Residents across Brimbank are being urged to remain vigilant today, with a total fire ban declared for Victoria’s Central District amid hot, dry and windy conditions. Authorities have warned that…

  • From office to paramedic

    From office to paramedic

    Graduate paramedic Tracie Avion had never interacted with Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics until she witnessed someone go into cardiac arrest about eight years ago. Seeing crews respond to that case…