With less than 100 days to go until Western Australia's Container Deposit Scheme is officially launched, local residents are furiously hoarding drink containers ready to exchange them for cash.
From June 2, each eligible drink container returned to an authorised Containers for Change refund point will be worth a 10-cent refund.
There will be more than 170 refund points across the state commencing operation later this year, with at least four in the Peel region by the time the scheme launches on June 2.
Close to 6 billion fewer drink containers are expected to end up in landfill over the next 20 years thanks to the new scheme.
In an effort to inform the community about the nitty-gritty details, Containers for Change is hitting the road over the coming weeks with stops in both Northam and Merredin.
The team will host community information sessions to provide any additional details about the container deposit scheme and give participants the chance to meet local refund point operators.
There will be two workshops in the Wheatbelt region:
Northam
- Monday, March 9
- 4pm
- Northam Recreation Centre
Merredin
- Tuesday, March 10
- 4pm
- Merredin Regional Community & Leisure Centre
The scheme's coordinator, WA Reduce Reuse Recycle Limited (WARRRL), chief executive Tim Cusack said West Australians had already shown overwhelming support for the upcoming launch.
"In just 100 days this fantastic new recycling scheme will become a reality in Western Australia," he said.
"Containers for Change is everyone's chance to earn cash from drink containers, whether you're a community group, charity or an individual.
"Our Containers for Change community information sessions are free so come along to find out how the scheme works, and how you and your community can participate and benefit from the scheme."
As part of the Containers for Change deposit scheme, the state government is offering grants of up to $2000 to help not-for-profit organisations, schools and community groups establish a refund point.
Community groups will share in $200,000 in funding to purchase infrastructure including bins, cages, skips, security stands, fences, tippers, sorting equipment and trailers.
Grant applications are open until March 27 and priority will be given to applicants providing employment outcomes for people with disability, long-term unemployed people, and under-served remote and regional areas.
For more information about the container deposit scheme community grants, visit the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website.
To register for a Containers for Change Community information session, visit the website.
