5.73 Billion and Counting: WA's Containers for Change Turns Six

Somewhere in Western Australia right now, someone is rinsing out a soft drink can and dropping it into a bag in the laundry. On its own, it's a tiny habit. But six years after the state's container deposit scheme kicked off, all those cans have added up to something pretty remarkable.

Six Years and 5.73 Billion Containers Later

Containers for Change launched in WA on 1 October 2020, and the idea is simple. Return an eligible drink container to a refund point and get 10 cents back. Since then, Western Australians have returned more than 5.73 billion containers, and the scheme is now edging towards the six billion mark.

To picture that, Containers for Change says the containers returned would stretch 24 times around the earth if lined up end to end... wow. Here's the bit that made me smile: the State Government says WA's container recovery rate is now above 65 per cent, up from 34 per cent before the scheme began.

Ten Cents That Really Add Up

Those 10 cent refunds sound modest, but they've added up to $571 million paid back to the WA community. As Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn put it last year, "You only need 10 containers and you've got a dollar."

Plenty of people give their refunds away, too. More than $22.26 million has been donated to community groups, charities and schools, with Men's Shed WA alone raising more than $1 million. There are now more than 9,000 charities, community groups and schools registered to receive donations. At Beaconsfield Primary, 30,000 containers helped fund a nature play area and native plantings in under two years, while K9 Dog Rescue receives $10,000 a year from donated refunds.

Good for the Planet, Good for People

The benefits reach well beyond the recycling bin. WA's network now includes 63 refund point operators running 316 sites, and more than one-third of refund points are run by social enterprises. Over $70 million has been paid to social enterprises for processing containers, and Containers for Change says the scheme has created 846 jobs.

Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley says the scheme "proves that the benefits of sustainability go far beyond environmental outcomes", while WA Return Recycle Renew Limited CEO Dr Kate Brooks describes refund points as "important community hubs".

Now Welcoming Wine and Spirit Bottles

On 1 July 2026, the scheme had its first expansion since launch. Almost all drink containers from 150 millilitres to three litres now qualify, including wine and spirit bottles, adding around 200 million extra containers a year. Queensland has also included wine and spirit bottles since November 2023, and NSW and South Australia plan to follow in 2027. Talk about a can-do attitude!

The Next Six Years

With more than 1.6 billion 10 cent containers sold in WA every year, there's plenty of room for the next chapter to be even bigger. Every rinsed can and returned bottle keeps something useful in circulation and, quite often, helps a local school, shed or rescue pup along the way. We'll raise a (returnable) glass to that.

Of course, the only thing better than recycling a bottle is not needing a new one in the first place. If this story has you rethinking your drinks on the go, our Reusable Water Bottles are there to explore whenever you're ready for a refillable sidekick.

Ready for another feel-good story? Check out our blog here about Queensland's big recycling reset!

Happy Friday legends,
Ellie xo

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Containers for Change in WA?

Containers for Change is Western Australia's container deposit scheme, which launched on 1 October 2020. You return eligible drink containers to a refund point and receive 10 cents for each one, as cash, a bank or PayPal transfer, or a donation to a good cause.

How many containers have been returned through Containers for Change in WA?

More than 5.73 billion containers have been returned since the scheme launched in October 2020, and it is approaching six billion. Refunds paid back to the WA community totalled $571 million up to 30 September 2026.

Can you return wine and spirit bottles in WA?

Yes. Since 1 July 2026, almost all beverage containers from 150 millilitres to three litres qualify for the 10 cent refund, including wine and spirit bottles. The expansion adds around 200 million eligible containers each year.

How do I donate my container refund in WA?

Choose a cause from the directory of more than 9,000 WA charities, community groups and schools. Give its Member Number at a refund point, or set "donate" as your preferred payment method in the app or member portal.

Has Containers for Change improved recycling in WA?

Yes. The State Government says WA's container recovery rate is now above 65 per cent, up from 34 per cent before the scheme began. The scheme has also delivered more than $22.26 million in donations to community groups, charities and schools.