The McGowan Government is offering $200,000 in community grants to support the introduction of Western Australia's upcoming container deposit scheme, Containers for Change.
Not-for-profit organisations, schools and community groups can apply for a grant of up to $2,000 to help them establish a donation or refund point for beverage containers.
Grant applications are open from February 28, 2020 to March 27, 2020.
The grants, which will be administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, can be used for infrastructure such as bins, cages, skips, security stands,
fences, tippers, sorting equipment and trailers.
Priority will be given to applicants providing employment outcomes for people with disability, long-term unemployed people, and under-served remote and regional areas.
More information about the container deposit scheme community grants can be found at http://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/cds
Information on the scheme and the community grants will also be provided at the 45 community information sessions across the State from March until May. They will be conducted by the scheme co-ordinator, WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd.
For a list of container deposit scheme community information sessions, or to register for a session, visit http://www.eventbrite.com.au and search for 'Containers for Change'.
Also from March 4, 2020, community groups and not-for-profit organisations will be able to register for their 'Scheme ID' at their local information session or online at http://www.containersforchange.com.au
A Scheme ID is a valuable fundraising tool allowing refunds to go directly into a group's bank account, raising much needed funds for their causes.
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"I am pleased to announce $200,000 in community grants to support the container deposit scheme, which was a key election commitment of the McGowan Government.
"This financial assistance will help communities, charities and not-for-profit organisations deliver donation or refund points, and assist in filling gaps in the refund point network in regional and remote areas.
"Containers for Change is all about giving people an incentive to recycle their drink containers, so they don't end up littering our streets, communities and waterways.
"We know from other States where container deposit schemes have been introduced that the 10-cent refund for eligible containers creates great opportunities for the whole community - from jobs, to local fundraising, to environmental benefits.
"I encourage anyone who is interested in this great initiative to register their attendance at their nearest community information session."
Minister's office - 6552 5800
