This year saw record numbers visit the Grand Prix™ over the four days – nearly 500,000 people! Attendees were able to recycle their “on-the-go” drink containers in dedicated CDS Vic bins – the first time this has been available at a major event in Victoria.

During the Grand Prix™, CDS Vic and Return-It hosted a stand in the Innovation Hub. We welcomed nearly 900 visitors, who had fun testing their recycling knowledge in interactive sorting games, learning about plastics recycling and exploring a reverse vending machine.​

Many of the school kids who visited the stand shared how they are already using CDS Vic to make extra pocket money – we were delighted to hear that so many young entrepreneurs are turning their empty drink containers into cash! There was also enthusiastic participation in our ‘recycling rally’ where contestants were challenged to separate CDS Vic eligible containers from mixed kerbside recycling. 

Jim Round, Chief Executive Officer of VicReturn which operates CDS Vic, said, “Having a presence at large events like the Grand Prix™ helps us to raise public awareness about the importance of recycling and to educate people about Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme. 

“The event also provided us with a fantastic opportunity to donate used drink containers to our statewide donation partner, the Good Friday Appeal.

“We absolutely loved having so many people come by our stand to say hi and we thank everyone who generously donated their containers or refunds!”