Fremantle Markets signs on for Containers for Change

The Fremantle Markets are one of a host of local businesses, schools, sporting clubs and community groups to sign up with the City of Fremantle as collection points as part of Containers for Change, WA’s new container deposit scheme.

The City of Fremantle is one of 74 organisations chosen to operate a refund point as part of Western Australia’s new Containers for Change scheme, which will kick off on 1 October.

The scheme will allow people to claim a 10-cent refund for every eligible beverage container they hand in to the City’s refund point at the Fremantle Recycling Centre on Montreal Street and at the bag drop point located at the City’s Administration Building on Parry Street.

Businesses, schools, sporting clubs and community groups can also set up their own collection point where the City will provide collection bins, pick up the containers and take them to the refund point for counting and sorting.

Fremantle Markets Chief Executive Officer Natasha Atkinson said the funds raised through the Containers for Change collection point at the markets will be donated to charity.

“We’ve asked our traders to nominate charities they’re associated with and the money raised through the collection points at the markets will be donated to a different charity each month,” Ms Atkinson said.

“Once word gets out, we hope to have a string of charities approach us to put their name down on the roster to receive the funds.”

Other Fremantle establishments to sign up as Containers for Change collection points include the National Hotel, Fremantle Sailing Club, Hilton Park Junior Cricket Club and Fremantle Primary School.

To sign-up as a Containers for Change collection point simply complete the registration form and the City’s Waste team will assess the application and arrange delivery of the new bins and collection frequency.

The refunds will be paid on all eligible beverage containers. Minimum quantities apply.

Community groups, sporting clubs, schools, charities and other not-for-profit organisations can also raise funds through Containers for Change by registering for a Containers for Change Scheme ID.

Anyone returning their eligible containers to the City of Fremantle’s refund point can then donate their refund to a group via their Scheme ID, with refunds transferred through a direct deposit into the group’s nominated bank account.

WA’s Containers for Change scheme is managed and operated by not-for-profit company WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL).

WARRRL Chief Executive Officer Tim Cusack said the scheme will give Western Australians a chance to make a real difference to the community and the environment, and earn some money doing it.

“Containers for Change WA will be the most accessible container deposit scheme in Australia with refund points being established right across the state. I’m delighted that the City of Fremantle is joining the scheme as one of our Refund Point Operators,” he said

Containers for Change targets the beverage containers that most commonly end up as litter. Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible for a refund.

Generally, ineligible containers are those that are less than 150ml and greater than 3L. Other ineligible containers include all plain milk bottles, wine bottles, pure spirit bottles, cordial and registered health tonics. Pure juice containers over 1L (or under 150ml) are also ineligible.

For more information visit the Containers for Change website.

To learn more about how Containers for Change can help charities, community groups or sporting clubs raise funds watch this helpful video.