How to win political friends and influence powerful people
Posted on 09 May 2024
Not-for-profits wanting to win the political and influence game can boost their negotiating power…
Posted on 17 Oct 2023
By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
Charities and community groups in Victoria are finally on the verge of joining the rest of the nation by being able to fundraise through recycling.
Victoria’s long awaited Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) will go live on November 1.
The program will enable participating organisations to raise cash through recycling eligible drink containers.
These include most aluminium, glass, plastic, and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers of between 150ml and three litres.
A similar scheme in NSW has returned more than $47 million to charities and community groups via donations and fees since its launch in 2017.
To fundraise via the CDS, groups such as charities, schools, sports clubs, and community groups must first register at the Donation Partner Registry.
They are then required to activate their registration with one of three participating "zone operators" who handle local refund points throughout the state – Visy, Return-It or TOMRA Cleanaway.
Refunds of 10 cents from each drink container can then be donated back to the registered charity or community group in several ways:
Consumers returning containers to a refund point for recycling will be able to choose to donate their refund to a participating charitable or community organisation via a zone operator app or by scanning a barcode.
“Victorian charities and community groups we have spoken to are eager to participate and excited about the opportunities CDS Vic presents.”
VicReturn CEO Jim Round said the scheme had already attracted great interest since registrations opened on October 1.
“Victorian charities and community groups we have spoken to are eager to participate and excited about the opportunities CDS Vic presents,” said Mr Round.
“At this stage, we’re focused on encouraging all Victorian charity and community groups to get involved and fundraise through CDS Vic – there is no limit to the number of organisations that can participate.”
The launch of the CDS will trigger childhood memories for Victorians old enough to recall earning pocket money from collecting discarded aluminium cans for recycling.
“Many Victorians will have fond memories of collecting and returning cans in the ‘Cash for Cans’ program – but this time, people shouldn’t crush their cans so the barcodes can be read to get a refund,” said Mr Round.
“We expect CDS Vic will also create positive memories for many Victorians for generations to come.”
The launch of the CDS follows criticism Victoria has lagged behind other states in introducing a container deposit scheme.
South Australia introduced its container deposit scheme more than 45 years ago and has a return rate of 76%.
Advocates said the refund scheme helped keep the level of beverage containers in the states litter pile to just 2.8% in 2022-2023.
More than ten billion containers have been returned for recycling since NSW introduced its popular Return and Earn scheme in 2017, reducing drink container litter volume by 54 per cent.
Mr Round said that rather than rush into introducing its own container deposit recycling scheme, Victoria has had the benefit of being able to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions.
“That means we have a scheme tailor-made for Victoria while adopting the best features from other states.”
Mr Round said there was no closing date for organisations to register but the sooner they do so, the sooner they can start fundraising from November 1.
Posted on 09 May 2024
Not-for-profits wanting to win the political and influence game can boost their negotiating power…
Posted on 09 May 2024
I recently wrote about the impotent campaigning of the Yes campaign. The current debate and…
Posted on 09 May 2024
A foremost expert in helping not-for-profits build better connections with government decision…
Posted on 09 May 2024
Many in the philanthropic and charity sectors have tremendous policy reform ideas that would help…
Posted on 09 May 2024
One of the most powerful tools any community group can have is the ability to inspire and mobilise…
Posted on 09 May 2024
Our Community’s resident Agony Uncle and thinker-in-residence, Chris Borthwick, examines the…
Posted on 08 May 2024
Not-for-profits are often humble about their impact, and shy to share their suggested policy fixes…
Posted on 07 May 2024
Podcast: The nation's peak body representing professional fundraisers in Australia has called for…
Posted on 07 May 2024
The not-for-profit and charity sector is perfectly positioned to lead efforts to ensure artificial…
Posted on 07 May 2024
More than 60% of not-for-profits, charities and philanthropic foundations believe that responsible…
Posted on 07 May 2024
The number of people volunteering in Queensland fell 10% in 2022–2023, according to a new report.
Posted on 07 May 2024
In a sporting first, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing violence against women…