The McGowan Government has chosen a co-ordinator for Western Australia's container deposit scheme.
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson today announced WA Return Recycle Renew Limited has been selected to operate the scheme which starts early next year.
WA Return Recycle Renew is a not-for-profit company which will be responsible for running the container deposit scheme and ensuring it meets all objectives set by the State Government.
Overseen by a board, the scheme co-ordinator will manage payments from manufacturers and importers of eligible beverage products, and will be responsible for establishing and implementing collection and logistics networks.
It is expected that the chairperson and community representative will be appointed by the end of the month, with remaining directors appointed shortly thereafter.
Unlike other Australian schemes, the co-ordinator will initially be appointed for seven years and must meet recycling targets to be considered for reappointment.
One of the first tasks for WA Return Recycle Renew is to run an open application process to establish the collection network. This will include refund points, transport and processing facilities, and support for social enterprises to participate. The WA container deposit scheme will also include donation points, increasing the ways community organisations can benefit from the scheme.
The minimum network standards released today guarantee that Western Australians will have better access to refund points than any other State or Territory.
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Today's announcements are an exciting step forward for WA's container deposit scheme.
"An open and competitive process was used to identify the preferred scheme co-ordinator and I'm encouraged that WA Return Recycle Renew is best placed to deliver a high performing scheme for our State.
"I am also very happy to announce that Western Australians will have better access to refund points than residents in any other Australian State or Territory.
"The number of refund points per head of population will be better in WA than in any other State or Territory in Australia.
"As a regional Member of Parliament, I want to be sure that remote communities do not miss out on the opportunities arising from this scheme. That's why there will be at least one refund point in every remote town with 500 people or more, and we will be looking at a range of other options for smaller communities.
"From the CBD to Rottnest, Albany to Wyndham, Western Australians will have refund points spread across the State to ensure you can return your containers easily.
"With beverage containers accounting for 44 per cent of the volume of litter in WA, this scheme - run by our new co-ordinator - is key to reducing litter and improving the State's recycling rates.
"The scheme is a great win for the environment but it's also anticipated to create up to 500 jobs across the State."
