Recycling in Western Australia has just been made easier with Container Exchange Points expanded to be available for every local government area. Communities throughout WA are being urged to take up the opportunity to have free Container Exchange points installed, reducing litter and waste in parks, streets and waterways.
“Container Exchange points are easy to install, require limited maintenance from local governments and allow members of the community to do the right thing by keeping their 10c containers out of landfill.” Environment Minister Reece Whitby commented “Given the success of the initial stages of this program, Containers for Change has made funding available to roll out Container Exchange points in every LGA in the State. Access and convenience are two of the biggest barriers to participation in Containers for Change – and this initiative provides Western Australians with the opportunity to easily save their 10c containers from landfill while out and about.”
Minister Whitby explained that an initiative of Containers for Change, Container Exchange points, which look like a branded container or basket, are attached to public bins and hold between six and 100 drink containers. The Minister added that containers placed in the Container Exchange points are then available for anyone to collect and return to a Containers for Change refund point.
“We’re seeing a great response from the community and park visitors to the Container Exchange points at Hyde Park. The container points are being filled every day and are open for anyone to collect and return for cash to a refund point.” City of Vincent Mayor Emma Cole commented “Bottles and cans are the most common recyclables found in our public bins so it is making a difference to keeping those containers from landfill. With everyone recycling their bottles and cans at home, the opportunity to continue this good work when we’re out at the park or in Leederville is a really positive initiative.”
Minister Whitby said that the initiative targets the 51 per cent of Western Australians who admit to throwing recyclable containers in landfill bins while out and about. Ten local governments have signed up to the Container Exchange Point program, with more stock of the Container Exchange points due to arrive in June.
Minister Whitby explained that three local governments are now actively taking part in a trial of the points – the City of Vincent, City of Fremantle and City of Wanneroo, while another seven local governments will install the points in the coming months, once new stock arrives. These councils are City of Canning, City of Bunbury, Shire of Exmouth, City of Cockburn, City of Kwinana, Shire of Carnarvon and City of Bayswater. The City of Vincent is the latest local government association (LGA) to take part, with 12 points installed in Hyde Park, along Oxford Street in Leederville and in the Oxford St Reserve.
