Western Australia has reached a new recycling milestone by saving 1.5 billion 10c containers from landfill through Containers for Change.
The milestone comes just 21 months after the launch of the state’s container deposit scheme, which now has 265 refund points across WA.
In thanking WA for embracing Containers for Change, CEO Tim Cusack said there was still more work to be done, highlighting the 530 million 10c containers still being tossed into general waste bins in the last year alone.
“Since Containers for Change launched on 1 October 2020, WA have more than doubled the number of drink containers recycled, which is a fantastic result,” Cusack said.
“Across WA, we are now recycling 64 per cent of our 10c containers, which puts our state as one of the leading container recycling jurisdictions in Australia. However, in the last 12 months the WA community have missed out on $53 million in refunds because 10c containers were thrown into general waste bins.
“Those 530 million lost containers also represent $32 million in payments that should have gone to the 78 refund point operators, which are the backbone of our recycling efforts.”
The Containers for Change refund point network consists of 265 refund points across WA, with much of the network being run by family-owned or not-for-profit organisations.
Complementing the official Containers for Change refund points are donation points at hundreds of schools, sporting clubs, charitable organisations, and businesses across the state.
“We embrace innovation and ideas. If you are a local government and you need a simple solution for container litter, then come and chat to us; if you’re a local café and want to supplement your income by having your containers picked up and recycled, and the refunds transferred straight into your bank account, then we can help you set that up,” said Cusack.
“Everyone has a part to play, and everyone can play a part. We are so proud of what Containers for Change has already achieved and excited about what is next, as more and more people get involved.”
