Hitting back at waste at the Australian Open 2025

When it comes to re-deucing waste in Victoria, we want to ace it. We’re making ‘no waste’ the new normal by encouraging all Victorians to think differently about resources, reuse more often, and stop waste before it starts.

In a game-changing strategic partnership between Sustainability Victoria and Tennis Australia, thousands of extra reusable cups replaced single-use cups in the Courtside Bar and bars around Garden Square at the Australian Open 2025.

Made by local Victorian company bettercup, the sturdy, durable cups made reuse the winning option for patrons. It was a simple swap, with no extra cost or deposit for the cup, punters simply dropped their cup at the marked collection points after enjoying their drink. The team from Green My Plate washed them on site and returned them to the bars to be used again and again.

And the cups can be used beyond the tournament for other Victorian events. That’s a grand slam for reducing waste and encouraging reuse!

The dishwashing team collected, washed and returned over 69,000 bettercups during the three-week tournament, which represents 552 kg of single-use cups avoided. With other reusable cups, bowls and plates served by vendors in the Garden Square area, almost 137,000 items in total were washed for reuse – nearly doubling the result from AO24.

Items that we throw out after using only once – often just for a few minutes – can have an impact on our environment that lasts thousands of years. That’s why we need to make reuse the first choice.

You can hit back at waste every day by switching from single-use items to reusables, too. Check out our easy swaps below. Small acts, like choosing to reuse, make a big impact on Victoria’s sustainable future.

To stay in the game with new ideas about how to re-deuce waste in your everyday life, join our mailing list. We’d love to have you!