Containers for Change launching this week

Only two days to go before the City of Fremantle’s new Containers for Change refund point opens on Thursday 1 October.

The City of Fremantle is one of 74 organisations chosen to operate a refund point as part of Containers for Change - WA’s new container deposit scheme.

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 Mayor Brad Pettitt said Containers for Change was a fantastic way for people to earn some pocket money, raise funds for worthy causes and protect the environment.

“Experience with container deposits schemes in other states has shown they result in a dramatic reduction in litter and a huge increase in recycling rates, so it’s terrific that one is finally being introduced in WA,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“Containers for Change will also create a great fundraising opportunity for schools, sporting clubs and community groups, who can collect up all their empty bottles and cans and bring them into the City’s refund point to claim their 10 cents.

“Once we’ve covered our initial set-up costs we expect the refund point will also make a small profit for the City, which we will then be able to re-invest back into the community.”

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 on the City of Fremantle’s Containers for Change refund point, including opening hours and drop-off instructions, go to fremantle.wa.gov.au/containers-change.

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

Image: Mayor Brad Pettitt at the City’s refund point at the Fremantle Recycling Centre on Montreal Street.