Containers for Change
The City of Perth is proud to announce its involvement in the State Government’s container deposit scheme, Containers for Change as the first CBD refund point in Australia.
Containers for Change is WA’s new state-wide container deposit scheme allowing the community to cash in eligible recyclable containers for 10-cents each.
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.
Over the next 20 years, WA's Containers for Change container deposit scheme is estimated to result in:
- 706 million fewer beverage containers being littered;
- 6.6 billion fewer beverage containers sent to landfill; and
- 5.9 billion more containers being recycled.
Containers for Change also provides an exciting fundraising opportunity for schools, local sports clubs, community groups, charities and worthwhile causes; the scheme will also create hundreds of jobs across Western Australia.
Drop-off location
The City's approved Containers for Change refund points are designed to help residents process returns of all sizes - from a “quick drop and run” to counting large volumes of containers, and allowing customers to claim their refunds effortlessly, either in cash or electronically.
Container Refund Point - 8 Aberdeen Street, Perth
- Depot- Full service facility
- Drop and run, plus large volume processing
- Refunds available via cash and via scheme ID.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 10:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday to Sunday - 10:00am - 1:00pm
Closed on Public Holidays
Reverse Vending Machine - 68A Roe St Northbridge
- Refunds available via Scheme ID only
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 10:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday to Sunday - 10:00am - 1:00pm
Closed on Public Holidays
FAQS
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Which containers are eligible 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 eligible/ineligible beverage containers in the scheme include:
Eligible items:
- Aluminium, steel, plastic, glass, liquid, paperboard
- From 150 ml to three litres
- Purchased in WA.
Ineligible items:
- Wine bottles
- Spirit bottles
- Milk bottles
- Cordial bottles.
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How does it work?
- Step 1 - Sign up for your own scheme ID to receive your refund via a direct deposit into your bank account by visiting www.containersforchange.com.au/wa.
- Step 2 - Start collecting your eligible containers
- Step 3 - Drop off your eligible containers to one of our drop off points
- Step 4 - Cash in!
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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 location.
- Donate to a charity or community group by using their scheme ID at a refund point.
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How do I become a donation point and fundraise for my community?
Containers for Change provides an exciting fundraising opportunity for school P&Cs, local sports clubs, community groups, charities and worthwhile causes.
How? It’s easy – you can be a donation location, or encourage your supporters to donate their refunds to your groups scheme ID.
To become a donation point, you simply register for a scheme ID at the Containers for Change website and set up a cage or refund point on-site where people can safely drop off their eligible containers.
You will also need to arrange for the containers to be delivered to a refund point – which you can do yourself, or partner with a refund point to do it for you. The refund point will also do all the sorting and counting for you and send your refund by electronic transfer directly to your specified bank account. This is a great set-up for organisations that have space for a cage.
If you are looking for a short-term fundraising activity, you can often hire mobile cages for container collection drives or events from a local refund point.
The other type of donation point is a virtual donation point. As the name suggests, there’s no physical handling, storage or transport required by you – your supporters do all the work for you. You simply provide your supporters with your scheme ID. They can return their containers to any refund point in the State, quote your scheme ID and direct their refund payment to your organisation’s specified bank account.
Once you have decided on the type of donation point your organisation wants to be, all you need to do is register for your scheme ID.
You can register today at the Containers for Change website.
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Do lids need to be removed from beverage containers before taking them to a refund point?Yes, lids can be returned to your refund point, but you’ll need to remove them from the containers before you receive your refund.
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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 eligible 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.
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What happens to the containers redeemed at refund points?The containers redeemed at refund points are sorted into separate, individual waste streams and are sent for recycling into other materials and items including new aluminium cans, car parts and clothing (from plastic bottles).
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Can I bring my containers in reusable bags?Yes. If you are bringing your containers in a reusable bag that you want back, you will need to collect/request a flexi tub at the site so that you can pour your containers into the bucket to be counted for you to have your bag back. Please note there may be limited numbers of flexi tubs on site with the potential for long waiting times if you are bringing large volumes of containers in several reusable bags.
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Do lids need to be removed?Yes, lids can be returned to your refund point, but you’ll need to remove them from the containers before you receive your refund.
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Do I need to bring my own bags and labels at bag drops?
Customers should bring their own bags when using the bag drop service. Make sure the bags are sturdy, so they don’t break in transit – it’s a good idea not to overfill them too.
Labels should be available at the facility for you to write your full name and scheme ID (and telephone number optional) clearly on your labels and stick them on or put them inside each bag you’re returning.The City will endeavor to ensure labels are provided, but it’s worthwhile to bring your own just in case.
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Is there a long waiting time?There may be limited parking and potentially time restrictions in the Containers for Change site for parking. Information for parking at the site will be available and residents are encouraged to bring smaller loads to the site per transaction to prevent long queuing times. Alternatively residents can use the Bag Drop Area with their scheme ID to be able to drop their bags and leave.
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What if I have more questions?
You can visit the Containers for Change website here.
Alternatively, contact the City of Perth Customer Experience Team on (08) 9461 3333 or email cds.inbox@cityofperth.wa.gov.au
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Is there parking at the Aberdeen St Containers for Change facility?Yes. The City’s drop off site at Aberdeen St has limited 30 minutes free allocated parking within the site. Please note there is a limited number of spaces available within the site, however there is also CPP parking in Aberdeen St main car park. In light of the 30 minute free parking, the City advises to bring manageable quantities of eligible containers to the site as processing times may be longer than 30 minutes when the site initially opens and/or if there is a high volume of patrons accessing the facility.