Cash for Containers scheme

WA Labor is seeking to introduce a container deposit scheme to Western Australia to boost our recycling efforts. The scheme would give people a cash refund in exchange for returning used drink bottles and cans. 

Western Australia has the lowest recycling record of any state in Australia with the rate of recycling bottles and cans at just 20 per cent. A deposit scheme is expected to increase recycling in WA by 70 percent. South Australia,  where a container deposit scheme has been operating since the 1970s, has a recycling rate of 80%. 

Further, the scheme will reduce littering, save water and create an opportunities for young people, community groups and sporting clubs to cash in on money created by the scheme. Each refund would be 10 cents and is expected to save household, on average, between $8 and $11 per year.  

It’s time Western Australia joined South Australia and introduced a container deposit scheme to protect our environment.