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Single-use waste reduction targets have been exceeded at this year’s Australian Open, with Tennis Australia’s projection of 100,000 reusable items washed increased by almost 37,000.

Through the partnership between Sustainability Victoria and Tennis Australia, thousands of reusable cups, made by Victorian company bettercup, replaced single-use cups in the Courtside Bar and bars around Garden Square.

With additional reusable cups, bowls and plates served by vendors, the event saw a record-breaking 136,932 items washed for reuse, nearly doubling the result from last year’s event.

During the three-week tournament, the dishwashing team from Green My Plate collected, washed and returned over 69,000 bettercups alone, representing 552 kg of single-use cups avoided.

Matt Genever, Sustainability Victoria CEO, said, “It’s fantastic that so many people embraced the reusable cups at AO25, diverting waste from landfill and reducing their environmental impact.

“The simplicity of the model was key to its success. Patrons enjoyed their drinks in the reusable cups then dropped them at clearly marked collection points for washing.

“The reusable bettercups will also be repurposed for other events across Victoria, providing a long-term solution to waste reduction.”

The reusables bin at the Australian Open 2025 (AO25). Image: Supplied.

Tennis Australia’s Director of Sustainability, Matthew Nicholas, said, “We’re proud of the steps we’re taking to reduce single-use consumption at the Australian Open.

“On top of the almost 137,000 single-use items diverted from waste streams through the AO Reusables program, we recycled over 74 tonnes of glass and 64 tonnes of cardboard. We also tackled more challenging tournament-specific waste streams, sending approximately 16,000 tennis ball tubes and 5 km of nylon racquet string offcuts to dedicated recycling pilots.”

Sustainability Victoria will continue to support Tennis Australia in its future sustainability strategy as Victoria transitions to a circular economy with less waste and emissions.

Top image: Supplied.

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A new partnership between Climate Zero and Carbon Neutral brings carbon accounting and offsets together, making sustainability gains easier for Australian businesses.

The partnership means businesses using Climate Zero’s carbon accounting software to measure, reduce and report on emissions can now also offset from the platform, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to progress their sustainability goals.

Climate Zero Managing Director Tai Lennon said the partnership reflected the company’s mission to remove barriers between businesses and net zero.

“Like anything, corporate sustainability is easier with the right tools and support. We’ve been helping businesses measure and reduce emissions for more than 15 years and now, with Carbon Neutral’s partnership, they can easily compare, choose and purchase high-integrity carbon credits and track their impact — all within our platform,” Lennon said.

Carbon Neutral CEO Phil Ireland agreed and said the partnership was a natural collaboration that made it easier for businesses to have a positive impact.

“With the ability to measure, offset and report on emissions all in one place, we’re not only removing administrative barriers but also making it easier for businesses of all sizes to take credible climate action,” Ireland said.

The partnership is said to reflect the need for a multi-faceted approach to corporate sustainability because of greenhouse gas emissions already locked into the atmosphere, requiring sequestering and nature-based regeneration.

“While reducing emissions remains the top priority to help our economy shift from depletion to regeneration, there will always be residual emissions that an organisation simply cannot reduce,” Lennon said.

“We’ve done our research and partnered with Carbon Neutral because we have seen first-hand the impact their projects are having not just to generate carbon credits but also to restore native landscapes, preserve biodiversity, return land to Traditional Owners and permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere.

“Our partnership is based on trust and integrity, because if you’re serious about reducing emissions, your offsets should be as real as your commitments.”

Image caption: Carbon Neutral CEO Phil Ireland with Climate Zero Managing Director Tai Lennon and Chief Product Officer Jess Symes.