Container scheme a resounding success

South West residents have returned some 497,000 containers between the 19 local refund points in the first week of the Containers for Change recycling initiative.

WA launch figures show the State has outperformed recent launches of container deposit schemes in Queensland and New South Wales. Containers for Change spokesperson Tim Cusack said the results had surpassed expectations and he looked forward to the scheme’s continued success.

“WA consumes 1.3 billion drink containers every year, so we’re extremely pleased to see people jumping on board and using the scheme,” he said.

MR Refund director Jackie Dickson said between the organisation’s sites in the Capes it had taken more than 50,000 containers. “We’ve really enjoyed meeting new people in the community and helping them recycle and reduce litter in our oceans and natural environment,” she said.

The locations for the Containers for Change scheme are 8 Wright Street, Busselton; Busselton Waste Transfer; 6 Clark Street, Dunsborough; The Cowaramup Men’s Shed; and 22 Kinsella Street, Margaret River.