Recycling refunds used to block out bullying

A 12-year-old Geelong student has turned recycling into positive action using Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic).

What started as one young person's determination to make sure others never experience what happened to him has grown into a movement that is changing lives, creating conversations and inspiring people to stand up against bullying. 

Shoot For Kindness, Blockout Bullying was founded by Alexander Scott with the simple but powerful belief that no child or teen should feel alone because of bullying. The initiative is funded by recycling with CDS Vic.

“I noticed when I went to the basketball, some of the kids that bullied me looked up to the same sporting heroes that I do,” Alexander said. “I thought if they won’t listen to everyone else maybe they’ll listen to sporting heroes.

“I wanted to tackle bullying from a different perspective using sporting heroes to speak out against bullying and encourage people to be upstanders not bystanders. I started recycling to fund the short film that was launched in 2025.

“It’s no longer my project it’s a village project as it will take a village to blockout bullying. Without the support of our incredible village our message would not have reached as many young people as it has.

Alexander takes his bottles and cans to the Scouts Victoria Breakwater Depot and considers each recycled item to represent a child or teen “bullied like I was”. To date, he has recycled over 55,000 drink containers which represents over 55,000 voices of kids or teens that have been bullied.

“Whether I arrive at the Depot with one bag or ten, the team at Breakwater always welcome me with a smile and they celebrate every 10-cent refund because they understand what those bottles and cans are helping achieve.”

Funds raised so far have helped create powerful anti-bullying resources including ambassador cards that each feature messages of positivity.In 2025, Alexander printed 5,000 of those cards and this year, he will have printed over 20,000 to be distributed at NBL 1 games, schools and throughout the community.

At the heart of the project are the Shoot For Kindness, Blockout Bullying Ambassadors including Andrew Gaze, George Blagojevic, Hannah Giddey, Yang Shuyu, DeMarcus Gatlin, Lilly Rotunno, Marach March and Lachie Barker, all of which are using their voices to encourage people to stand up against bullying and lead with kindness.

Last month, Geelong United and Melbourne Tigers came together for a Shoot For Kindness, Blockout Bullying round that also included the launch of the 2026 short film.

“I can’t thank Geelong United and Melbourne Tigers enough for coming together to stand up against bullying and show the true power of sport, unity and that basketball is much more than a game,” Alexander said.

“Together we created an impactful short film that has sparked important conversations about bullying, kindness and how we can all help to encourage people to be Upstanders not Bystanders.

“To have two incredible Victorian clubs partnering with us to share those messages is something I could only ever dream of.

“None of this would have been possible without Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme and the incredible village that is behind Shoot For Kindness Blockout Bullying.

Alexander now hopes to continue expanding the initiative nationally and eventually internationally, reminding young people everywhere the importance of being an Upstander and that they matter.

“If sharing my story helps even one person feel supported or choose kindness instead of bullying, then everything we’ve done has been worth it.”

You can donate your own refunds to Alexander’s cause through the Container Deposit Scheme app by searching for Shoot for Kindness, Blockout Bullying under the Charities tab.

Fundraising with Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic)

Are your clubs looking for a new stream of income? Keen to turn your rubbish into cash? Sign up and start collecting with Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme. Every drink container returned helps the planet, your community and your club's bottom line. It's easy to get going. Each eligible drink container earns a 10-cent refund, and they add up quickly.

Sporting clubs across the state are funding new uniforms and equipment, facility upgrades and more. 

Download the club toolkit, share with your clubs, and help them get started. 

Learn more about CDS Vic at cdsvic.org.au