Here's How Your Recycled 10¢ Containers Live Another Life

Where and what are they recycled into? 👀

This article is presented in partnership with Containers for Change.

If you’ve ever returned your water bottle, kombucha, choccy milk or juice box with Containers for Change, you might have pondered the destiny of its journey.

How does it travel to the recycling point? What is it turned into?

Turns out, your 10¢ containers go through a thorough recycling process that really does make the earth happier—here’s how it works!

10¢ containers are sorted, processed, and sold to approved recyclers only.

There are several cogs in the machine when it comes to getting a container to its recycling point.

Containers start their recycling journey at refund point. There are over hundreds of refund points across the state!

The good news is they come in many forms – from depots (where containers are counted by staff or by machines), pop-up refund points at community events, or bag drop and reverse vending machine facilities for a contactless option.

Next, they're sorted and processed into their individual material types, which is sold to accredited recyclers. The material is then recycled into new products, including new 10¢ containers!

Where do the refunds go?

You might have noticed your school or workplace getting involved in Containers for Change.

It's a great way for community organisations and charities to fundraise and give back to the local community—$9.36 million has been donated to over 4,000 registered charities and community groups, including schools, through Containers for Change.

It's a hugely successful initiative for WA.

Containers for Change is putting WA on the map as having one of the most accessible container deposit schemes in the country.

Almost half the refund points are in regional Western Australia, in some of the most remote parts of the state. WA is truly going green all over.

It's also making a huge impact on WA's economy, creating more than 800 local jobs.

If you’re looking for a refund point near you in WA, you can find your local one here. Remember—most single-serve water, juice boxes and fizzy drink containers can get you a 10¢ refund or donation to a worthy cause of your choice!

This article has been updated since its original publication on 21 November 2022.