As part of WA's implementation of the Containers for Change deposit scheme, the Wheatbelt will have 11 refund points by the time the initiative is launched in June this year.
Announced last Thursday by premier Mark McGowan and environment minister Stephen Dawson, community groups around the region, including the Westonia Environment Centre and Wyalkatchem Men's Shed, will help deliver the scheme.
Containers for Change will provide a 10-cent refund for each eligible container returned for recycling at any authorised Containers for Change Refund Point from June 2, 2020.
By the end of its first year of operation, Containers for Change is estimated to have at least 27 Refund Points operating in the Wheatbelt.
Western Australia is the sixth state or territory to adopt a container deposit scheme.
Premier Mark McGowan said Containers for Change was set to create over 500 new jobs in the state with a special emphasis on employing the long-term unemployed, people living with a disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"WA's first container deposit scheme, Containers for Change, is taking shape and it's pleasing to see so many organisations from all sectors of the community getting on board," he said.
"Western Australians have been calling for this type of recycling scheme for a long time. I'm proud that my Government is implementing Containers for Change, which will deliver a big boost to recycling and create jobs.
"Today's announcement is just the starting point for the Containers for Change network, which will grow significantly in coming months and years."
Mr Dawson said the initiative would create a positive environmental impact.
"There are more than 1.3 billion eligible beverage containers used in Western Australia each year, and they make up 44 per cent of litter in our parks, streets and waterways," he said.
"The McGowan Government has introduced Containers for Change to help reduce litter, improve recycling rates, create new businesses and employment opportunities across the State, and provide a new way for community organisations and charities to raise money."
Successful refund point operators applicants within the Wheatbelt include the Wyalkatchem Men's Shed, Shire of Kellerberrin, Shire of Quairading and Shire of York.
Logistics and processing applicants have also been selected, with state-of-the-art compacting trucks and on-site compacting to be used for the first time in any container deposit scheme in Australia - reducing the equivalent of five trucks on the road to one.
Refund point locations and operating hours will be available at http://www.containersforchange.com.au in May.
