Across regional Western Australia, community clean-up events continue to highlight how 10¢ drink containers are still slipping through the cracks. Rather than finding their way into recycling streams, they’re ending up in general waste where they lose their potential.

At this year’s Clean Up Australia Day, thousands of Western Australians rolled up their sleeves, including volunteers across regional communities, like the Pilbara.

Across Australian clean-up audits, including Clean Up Australia’s National Litter Reports, beverage containers consistently rank among the most commonly collected items, accounting for around 15 per cent of all litter found. Hard plastics (which include items such as plastic bottles and other packaging items) make up approximately 23.4 per cent of surveyed litter.

Instead of ending up as litter, many of these containers could have been returned through Containers for Change for a 10¢ refund.

Making saving and returning your 10¢ containers an everyday habit

Events like Clean Up Australia Day show the power of collective action. But the real opportunity lies in what happens during everyday moments. Every 10¢ container that’s saved at home, work or when you are out and about is one less item that may end up as litter or in general waste.

For Pilbara households, where distances are greater and routines look different to metro areas, container saving is all about consistency. Setting up a simple system at home, like a dedicated bag, bin or box for accepted containers, can help make it second nature.

Workplaces can play a role too. Whether it’s a crate in the lunchroom or a shared collection point on site, saving 10¢ containers as a group can quickly add up, both in impact and in returns.

Which containers can be returned?

Most plastic and glass bottles, drink cartons, cans and pouches are accepted for a refund, just check for the 10¢ mark. They can be returned at Containers for Change refund points across the region, where you’ll also receive 10¢ for each container.

When you return your 10¢ containers to Containers for Change, they will be recycled into new products. Materials such as plastic and glass can even be recycled into new drink containers.

Why returning 10¢ containers matters

When accepted containers go into a general waste bin, their potential is lost. It means missed opportunities to reduce resource use and support a more circular economy.

By contrast, returning 10¢ containers through Containers for Change ensures they’re recycled, and keeps valuable materials in use.

There’s also a flow-on effect for communities. Many Pilbara residents choose to donate their refunds to local groups, schools or charities, turning everyday recycling into tangible support for causes close to home.

The Paraburdoo Men’s Shed

Paraburdoo is home to a small but highly engaged Men’s Shed that supports both residents and FIFO workers.

The Containers for Change operations are largely driven by one main dedicated volunteer at the Men’s Shed. The Shed has established donation bins on-site and at the local drive-in for the community to collect 10¢ containers, with additional contributions coming from nearby mining operations. To date, they have raised $11.9k, directly supporting the local community.

Make container saving part of daily life

By building container saving into daily routines, Pilbara locals can continue to see the difference one drink container can make. With Western Australians having returned more than 5.2 billion 10¢ containers, saving your bottle or can instead of tossing it into general waste might seem minor in the moment, but over time, it adds up to meaningful change.

Containers for Change makes returning containers easy, rewarding, and impactful across WA. Save accepted drink containers, return them for 10¢ refunds, and help your community. Visit the website for more information.