Protect Our Planet appeal raises $157,000 via deposit return scheme to protect Australian wildlife

“Protect Our Planet”, a charity appeal launched in November 2022 in Australia, aimed to raise AU$150,000 and recycle 1.5 million bottles and cans by April 2023. To achieve this, recyclers were encouraged to donate their eligible beverage containers to either the Australian Marine Conservation Society or Bush Heritage Australia through TOMRA RVM networks across the deposit return systems set up in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory.

Protecting land, ocean and wildlife through deposit return schemes

The impact of climate change in Australia has been severe, with the country experiencing the highest rate of mammal extinction among the developed countries – more than 500 animals are considered threatened. Globally, more than 100,000 marine animals and over a million sea birds are killed every year by plastic pollution.

Bush Heritage Australia and the Australian Marine Conservation Society are two non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring the Australian habitat to save endangered animals, both on land and in the oceans.

Bush Heritage Australia is committed to acquiring and managing land for conservation. They manage over 40 reserves across 1.2 million hectares of land throughout Australia, and partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the agricultural sector to help protect many more millions of hectares.

Meanwhile, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, as the oldest ocean conservation charity in Australia, works to protect vulnerable marine wildlife by partnering with scientists and conservationists to combat unsustainable fishing practices, habitat destruction, ocean pollution, and rising ocean temperatures. The organization has been instrumental in securing habitats such as the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef.