The scheme, which operates state-wide, provides an ideal fundraising method, with each container or can returned attracting a payment of 10 cents. Pop-up points, bag drops, reverse vending machines and refund points have been set up to handle the returns.
The city is also offering local businesses, schools and clubs a special service, in which it provides lockable 1100-litre, 660-litre and 240-litre bins for the collection of the containers and cans, which when full are collected and replaced with another empty bin. The Waste Team then counts the containers and processes refunds electronically.
Mark Irwin, Mayor of the City of Stirling, is expecting growing interest in the new scheme as more people and organisations hear of it in coming months, saying:
“We have been able to sign up a total of more than 100 schools, businesses and clubs to our collection service prior to the scheme officially kicking off, so that’s an excellent start to boost recycling across the community.”
Irwin said the service can also be used to contribute towards fundraising efforts for different projects and programmes at schools and clubs. Many fundraising activities are often advertised via locally based flyer printing campaigns to raise more awareness.
The Balcatta refund points are located at the local Recycling Centre and at 257 Balcatta Road.