A third of Clean Up Day rubbish is recyclable cans and bottles

2 March 2008 - More than 2500 tonnes of recyclable drink cans and bottles has been collected by an estimated 800,000 volunteers across Australia as part of the 19th Clean Up Australia Day.

The impact of plastic rubbish at beaches, harbours, rivers and creeks was the main focus for volunteers at over 6000 sites across the country and site supervisors reported a concentration of drink bottles and cans - made from glass, PET and aluminium - at sites along waterways and beaches.

Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said it was alarming to find that a third of the 7200 tonnes of rubbish collected altogether today was drink bottles and cans.

"What is now needed is a recycling system that operates in places away from home where much of this waste is being created. Offering a refund to consumers for their drink can or bottles would significantly improve recycling rates and reduce the amount of rubbish being dumped in the environment," Mr Kiernan said.

State-by-state results:

• Qld: 1060 sites, 85,000 volunteers, 1250 tonnes collected
• NSW: 2420 sites, 345,000 volunteers, 2930 tonnes collected
• Vic: 1250 sites, 165,000 volunteers, 1380 tonnes collected
• SA: 480 sites, 78,000 volunteers, 580 tonnes collected
• WA: 440 sites, 65,000 volunteers, 520 tonnes collected
• Tas: 280 sites, 24,000 volunteers, 360 tonnes collected
• ACT: 85 sites, 18,400 volunteers, 160 tonnes collected
• NT: 65 sites, 16,500 volunteers, 70 tonnes collected

Mr Kiernan also congratulated the SA Government fort its announcement today that it would become the first state to introduce a ban on plastic bags by the end of the year.

"The South Australian Government has again demonstrated that it is possible to take bold steps and be successful in tackling the growing waste problems we all face. What we need now are national systems to address waste problems," Mr Kiernan said.

*Pool Vision: SP Betacam vision of a police helicopter removing illegally dumped rubbish from bushland in Sydney's north and 4WDs winching dumped cars from a creek at Narrabeen is available at 3pm from Channel 9 in Sydney. News-quality photographs will also be available on request.

For further information: Alana Mew, 0423 377 567