Australians bought 118,000 tonnes of plastic drink bottles last year but only recycled 35 per cent of them. The 76,700 tonnes left behind either went to landfill or ended up in our environment as rubbish.

"Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 2, will be a focus for community action to address not just the growing problem of plastic bottle rubbish but greenhouse gas pollution as well," says Ian Kiernan, Clean Up Australia chairman.

Registrations are now open. Anybody can register a Clean Up site and community organisations are also encouraged to get involved by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or calling 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329).

"If people used a refillable bottle instead of buying a new one every time they wanted a drink of water, then we would help to reduce the huge amount greenhouse gases created in making and transporting them.

"Recycling is also a simple but effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Kiernan said.

"Every aluminium can that is collected and recycled saves 767 grams of carbon dioxide which is the equivalent of one wheelie bin of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Climate change is the greatest challenge facing our and future generations. I encourage everyone to take action by registering a Clean Up Day site. Let’s start today to save tomorrow."

Clean Up Australia Day is the largest community event of its kind in Australia and in 2007 an estimated one million people got involved.