Tetra Pak and Planet Ark have launched a national competition inviting Australian schools to collect and recycle eligible beverage cartons through their local Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), with $15,000 in prize money available.
The Carton Collection Competition runs from 13 October to 15 November 2026, culminating during National Recycling Week from 9–15 November.
Schools will compete to collect the highest number of eligible cartons relative to their student population. The winning school will receive $7000, with $5000 for second place and $3000 for third place, to fund sustainability projects and other improvements in their school communities.
Schools can collect beverage cartons of any brand accepted by their local CDS. Available collection options vary by location.
Ciaran O'Connor, Tetra Pak sustainability manager for Australia, said the competition aims to encourage recycling habits among students.
“Recycling habits are built through understanding and participation. By giving students a fun way to collect cartons, as well as the opportunity to win funding for sustainability projects, we can help make recycling part of their thinking from an early age,” he said.
O'Connor said National Recycling Week also provides an opportunity to encourage households to recycle beverage cartons.
“National Recycling Week is an important opportunity to put cartons on the recycling radar and encourage households to collect and recycle as many eligible beverage cartons as possible, helping keep valuable materials in circulation.”
The initiative forms part of Tetra Pak's ongoing involvement in Planet Ark's National Recycling Week and Recycling Near You initiative, which provides information about recycling options across Australia.
Planet Ark notes that many Australians can recycle cartons through kerbside collection or Container Deposit Schemes, although available options vary by location. Recycling Near You helps Australians identify appropriate collection options in their area.
Schools can find competition details and entry information at Recycling Near You.
