The McGowan Government has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 138 refund and donation point operators as part of the State’s container deposit scheme, Containers for Change.
Managed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the grants will be used to build infrastructure to support community groups, schools, sporting clubs and not-for-profit organisations to establish donation or refund points.
Grants were prioritised for applicants providing positive social outcomes for people with disability, vulnerable people and the long-term unemployed, particularly in regional and remote areas.
Containers for Change is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2020 and will see consumers receive a 10 cent refund on eligible containers returned through the scheme’s refund points.
The scheme will be one of the most accessible container deposit schemes in Australia with 229 refund points available by the end of the first year of the scheme.
For more information, visit https://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/cds
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“This funding will provide valuable financial support to community groups, schools and not-for-profit organisations, and will help them deliver Australia’s newest and best container deposit scheme – Containers for Change.
“Western Australians have been calling for a container deposit scheme for years and the McGowan Government is committed to making this scheme a reality on October 1.
“Social enterprises, schools and community groups, as well as businesses and local governments will be the heart and soul of this recycling scheme, and these community grants will help them get ready for October 1.
“Containers for Change is a great win for WA’s environment, for jobs, for our local community and sporting groups always looking for new ways to raise much-needed funds, and for our kids to learn about the benefits of recycling.”
