Coronavirus crisis: COVID-19 forces delay to WA’s ‘containers for cash’ scheme, with new October start pencilled in

A new date has been chosen for WA’s delayed recyclable containers for cash scheme. “Containers for change” had been slated for a June 2 start date which was delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis. West Australians will now be able to claim a 10-cent refund on eligible bottles and cans from October 1. The McGowan Government will also sling financial assistance out of a pool of $3.5 million to network participants who were negatively impacted by the scheme delay. Minister for Environment Stephen Dawson said in a statement the program would result in less litter going to landfill. “An October launch date strikes the right balance between keeping people safe and ensuring the sustainability of the network,” he said. There were initially concerns within government the scheme would need to be delayed until November or even June next year but the ability of WA to limit spread of the coronavirus has resulted in the early reboot. Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drinking vessels sized from 150ml to 3L will be eligible for a refund. About 1.3 billion eligible containers are discarded in WA every year. There are 145 confirmed refund locations in WA with that number set to grow to more than 200 in time.