Containers for change: Katanning Environmental Container Cash-In facility hits 5 million containers milestone

The Katanning Environmental Container Cash-In facility has reached a significant milestone, refunding its five millionth container late last month. The not-for-profit centre on Dore Street broke the five million mark on August 27, less than two years after it joined the Containers for Change scheme. Chairman Matt Collis said he was proud of the result. “I never thought it was going to be a flop, but reaching a significant milestone like this, it makes it all worthwhile,” he said. “Five million containers means we have put $500,000 back into the community, and that’s excluding staff wages.” The Katanning facility was opened in October 2020 after the introduction of the container refund scheme in WA. In its first year of operation, it refunded 2.28 million containers. It has already broken the milestone this year, having refunded 2.75 million containers as of last week. The scheme now averages about 50,000 container refunds each week. “We knew it was coming but it was still significant when we achieved it,” he said. Mr Collis said he believed the scheme was making a difference environmentally by reducing roadside container litter. “I personally think it is a great thing for the town,” he said.