Western Australians can now cash in their eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund at over 200 Containers for Change refund points across the State.
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible.
There are four types of refund points in WA where you can return eligible containers: Depots, Bag Drops, Reverse vending machines and Pop-up refund points.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the scheme is an important step forward for recycling in Western Australia.
“People in WA use 1.3 billion drink containers every year, that’s 3.5 million a day, 150,000 an hour and more than 2,000 a minute. We know that currently, these containers make up 41 per cent of all litter here in Western Australia,” Mr McGowan said. “Western Australians have been crying out for a container deposit scheme.”
Containers for Change also provides fundraising opportunities for community groups – enabling Western Australians to give back to their local community.
WA Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said over 1,000 organisations have already registered and expected that number to grow.
“I’d strongly encourage all Western Australians to get involved, to start returning their eligible containers and start making change,” the Minister said.
Eligible containers included on the scheme’s list of products must display the refund mark (e.g. “10c refund at collection depots/points in participating State/Territory of purchase”).
Excluded containers include: Any plain milk containers, glass containers which have contained wine or pure spirits, containers 1L or larger which have contained flavoured milk, pure fruit or vegetable juice, all cordial or syrup containers, and registered health tonics.
Coordinator of the container deposit scheme, Western Australia Return Recycle Renew (WARRRL), said once containers are returned they join other recycled goods sold through an international online auction portal.
Recyclers then convert containers into raw materials like aluminium ingots and shredded plastic, which can be re-manufactured into new products.
Western Australia is the fifth state or territory to adopt a container deposit scheme, following the lead of South Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and most recently, Queensland.
Further information about Containers for Change, including refund point locations can be found at http://www.containersforchange.com.au