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Containers for change

To help encourage more Western Australians to collect and return their beverage containers, Containers for Change provide a 10-cent refund for each accepted beverage container that is returned.

The scheme aims to:

  • Increase recovery and recycling 
  • Reduce litter and landfill
  • Provide opportunities for social enterprise and benefits for community organisations
  • Create opportunities for employment
  • Complement existing collection and recycling activities for recyclable waste.

Container for Change also provides an exciting fundraising opportunity for schools, local sports clubs, community groups, charities and worthwhile causes; the scheme also created hundreds of jobs across Western Australia.

    Containers for Change for local businesses 

    City of Stirling businesses are entitled to Containers for Change 240L, 660L, 1100L bins and collection services. To make it easier for our local businesses, bars and restaurants, schools and sporting organisations to cash in accepted containers and receive refunds electronically, this service has been made available. 

    To enquire about bins and collection service, email containers@stirling.wa.gov.au.

    Drop-off locations

    The City's approved refund points are designed to handle returns of all sizes to allow customers to claim their refunds effortlessly, either in cash or electronically. 

    • Location 1: Recycling Centre Balcatta

      • Address 238 Balcatta Road, Balcatta WA 6021
      • Express bag drop off facility
      • Refunds available electronic only (cash refunds are not available at the Recycling Centre Balcatta).
      • Opening hours:
        • Monday - Saturday 7.30am to 4.00pm
        • Sunday 8.00am to 4.00pm
        • Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday Closed

      Location 2: Trigg Beach 

      • Address 368 West Coast Drive Trigg 6029
      • Express bag drop off facility
      • Refunds available electronic only.
      • Opening hours: 24 hours

      ​​Location 3: Bina Parkland

      • Address 50 Wallington Road Balga 6061
      • Express bag drop off facility
      • Refunds available electronic only.
      • Opening hours: 24 hours

      Location 4: Stirling Leisure Centre - Herb Graham Recreation Centre

      • 38 Ashbury Crescent Mirrabooka 6061 
      • Express bag drop off facility
      • Refunds available electronic only.
      • Opening hours: 24 hours

      Location 5: Robinson Reserve - Car Park of Osborne Park Bowling Club

      • Address 29 Park St/Eldorado St, Tuart Hill 
      • Express bag drop off facility
      • Refunds available electronic only.
      • Opening hours 9:00am to 5:00pm closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.

      Location 6: Container Refund Centre

      • Unit 11, 257 Balcatta Road, Balcatta
      • Full service, drive through facility  and bag drop off service is available
      • Refunds available cash and electronic ( electronic only for bag drop service)
      • Opening hours Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 8.00am - 4.00pm and closed on public holidays
      • Enquiries email containers@stirling.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9205 8540.

      Location 7: Tamala Park  Waste Disposal drop off area

      • 1700 Marmion avenue, Tamala Park 6030
      • Express bag drop off facility
      • Refunds available electronic only
      • Operating hours: Daily 8.00am to 4.45pm 
      • Address Unit 11, 257 Balcatta Road, Balcatta
      • Full service, drive through facility ( Bag drop off services are  available 24/7)
      • Refunds available cash and electronic.

      Enquiries email containers@stirling.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9205 8540.

      Opening hours

      Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5pm  Saturday and Sunday 8.00am - 4.00pm Closed on public holidays!

    Which containers are accepted for a refund?

    The scheme targets beverage containers most commonly seen as litter. The types of beverage containers covered in the scheme include plastic and glass bottles, liquid paper-board cartons, and steel and aluminium cans between 150 millilitres and three litres. Examples of accepted/not accepted beverage containers in the scheme include:

    • Eligible items for the Containers for Change program
      • Aluminium, steel, plastic (HDPE/ PET), glass, liquid paperboard
      • From 150 millilitres to three litres
      • Purchased in WA.
    • Ineligibility for change
      • Wine bottles
      • Spirits bottles
      • Milk bottles
      • Cordials.

    A more detailed list of accepted and not accepted containers is available on the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website.

    How it works

    • Step 1 - Sign up for your own Member number to receive your refund via a direct deposit into your bank account by visiting www.containersforchange.com.au/wa. If you are using our drive through facility, cash refunds are available.

    • Step 2 - Start collecting accepted containers.

    • Step 3 - Drop off your containers to one of the City's established refund points to receive your refund.

    • Step 4 - Earn money!

    If you are a business, school or community group and would like to sign up to the Containers for Change scheme, please email containers@stirling.wa.gov.au.

    FAQs

    How can I donate containers to a community group or charity? 

    There are several options for donating your containers.

    • Drop off your containers at a Donation Point
    • Donate to a charity or community group by using their Member number at our Refund Point.

    How do I become a Donation point and fundraise for my community?

    The City of Stirling supports businesses, schools and community groups by providing bespoke bins and on-demand pick-ups. 

    If you are interested in becoming a donation point and fundraising for your community via the Containers for Change scheme, please email containers@stirling.wa.gov.au.

    Do lids need to be removed from beverage containers before taking them to a Refund Point? 

    Yes, lids should be removed from containers for the following reasons:

    • Removing the lids helps with the crushing of containers at processing facilities.
    • Plastic lids are usually made from different plastics to the bottle, so separating the plastics makes the bottles easier to recycle.
    • Lids are recyclable. Lids can be taken to any approved by Containers for Change drop-off location to be recycled. Please remove lids from your containers first.

    Can crushed or damaged containers be accepted? 

    While some light crushing is permissible, the Refund Point must be able to identify the container as an accepted container.

    Reverse vending machines may require a barcode or intact shape to do this.

    If you are unsure, you should check with the Refund Point where you intend to return the containers.

    What happens to the containers redeemed at refund points? 

    Containers returned to refund points will be sorted into material type (glass, aluminium, PET plastic or HDPE plastic etc.). The sorted containers will then be sent for further processing and delivered to a final recycling destination.

    Can containers be stockpiled until the scheme commences?

    Containers should not be stockpiled prior to the start of the scheme. 

    You should continue to recycle containers before the start of the scheme through your yellow top recycling bin.

    What if I have more questions? 

    Visit the Containers for Change website for further information.