Western Australians have raised more than $50,000 for people impacted by the Wooroloo bushfires and Cyclone Seroja, simply by returning their drink containers to a Containers for Change refund point.
All drink containers accepted at a Containers for Change refund point are recycled and people can either keep their 10-cent refund per container or donate it to various charities or community groups.
The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund (LMDRF) was activated in February to support those impacted by the Wooroloo bushfires and, later, Cyclone Seroja.
The LMDRF established a specific Containers for Change Scheme ID, which quickly and easily allows anyone to donate their container refund directly to the LMDRF.
The $50,000 in donated refunds represents 500,000 containers that are now guaranteed to be recycled and turned into items such as clothing, airplane parts and new containers.
Since Containers for Change launched on October 1, 2020, more than 367.5 million containers have been returned to one of the 218 refund points across Western Australia. Almost
$1.5 million has been raised for community organisations, schools and charities, and more than 730 jobs have been created through refund points.
Over the next 20 years, Western Australians can save 5.9 billion containers from landfill and 706 million from littering WA’s streets, waterways and parks by recycling through Containers for Change.
Further information about Containers for Change can be found at https://www.containersforchange.com.au
As stated by Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Containers for Change not only allows the community to keep containers out of landfill and off our streets, it also directly benefits Western Australians in need, as we can see through the efforts of those who have donated to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund.
“By returning their containers to Containers for Change refund points, Western Australians have fully realised the potential of each container.
“Ensuring those 500,000 containers are recycled is already a win but to then turn that into $50,000 for our friends, family and neighbours who need it most is what makes Containers for Change so special.”
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby:
“It’s been heartwarming to see the generosity of Western Australians in the aftermath of the Wooroloo bushfires and Cyclone Seroja. Not everybody is in a position to donate but Containers for Change makes giving to those who need it that little bit easier.
“Along with State and Federal recovery packages, donations to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund are an important tool in helping people impacted by these disasters get back on their feet.
“The road to recovery will take some time for impacted communities but Containers for Change shows even the smallest act can make a big difference.”
