Fremantle Containers for Change celebrates first anniversary

The City of Fremantle’s Containers for Change Refund Point will turn one on Friday.

October 1 marks 12 months since Fremantle’s launch of the Containers for Change scheme, which allows 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 and at the bag drop point located at the City’s Administration Building.

As of this week the City’s refund point has processed over 4.1 million containers, which equates to 402 tonnes of glass, cans and plastic bottles that have been recycled.  

Fremantle Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said this was a fantastic result and further established the City as a leader for resource recovery rates.

“Our community has also embraced the scheme, with approximately $30,000 being donated to charities and not-for profits through Fremantle Containers for Change,” Cr Sullivan said.

“We love seeing local schools, sporting clubs and community clubs use Fremantle Containers for Change to raise funds for their worthy causes. 

“It has been a big opportunity for local businesses as well, with over 50 Fremantle businesses generating an extra income, totalling over $100,000. Some of our ‘super-collectors’ are even making an income of $200-400 a week on average.

“Fremantle Containers for Change has also led to increased employment opportunities, with the City creating five new jobs to operate the refund point.”

The entry to the City of Fremantle’s Containers for Change refund point is on Knutsford Street, just around the corner from the Fremantle Recycling Centre.

It’s open six days a week, including 10am-4pm on Saturday and 12-4pm on Sunday, and is open to everyone not just City of Fremantle residents.

There’s also a convenient bag drop point at the City of Fremantle’s administration building at Fremantle Oval on Parry Street.  

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.

To find out more visit fremantle.wa.gov.au/containersforchange.

Image: The City of Fremantle’s Resource Recovery Team Leader Darrell Monteiro and Refund Point Operator Tamika Payne celebrate Freo’s Containers for Change first anniversary.