Change Maker Awards recognise recycling leaders

Western Australians at the forefront of recycling efforts have been recognised at the 2023 Change Maker Awards.

The awards, hosted by the state’s container deposit scheme, Containers for Change, attracted 600 guests who celebrated the achievements of refund point operators, community groups, businesses, schools and individuals taking the lead in helping Western Australians save more than 2.5 billion containers from landfill.

There are now more than 250 container refund points throughout the state, operated by a range of businesses and social enterprises, creating more than 800 jobs in Western Australia.

Thirty finalists across nine categories were recognised in this year’s Change Maker Awards.

The top achievement, the Change Maker of the Year Award, was won by Kensington Secondary School. The award recognises the refund point, community group, individual, business or school that best demonstrated excellence through the implementation of Containers for Change across all the award categories and has gone above and beyond in the fight against landfill.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said Western Australians have embraced Containers for Change, returning hundreds of millions of 10 cent containers in two years.

“I congratulate each of the 2023 Change Maker Award recipients, finalists and entrants for their passion and dedication to reducing recyclable materials going to landfill, providing employment opportunities and supporting their communities.”

WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL) Chief Executive Officer Tim Cusack said the awards were a great opportunity to acknowledge the meaningful contributions that refund points are making to prevent landfill and help community groups across the state.

 2023 Change Maker of the Year Award Recipients:

School of the Year – Kensington Secondary School

Community Participant of the Year – WA AIDS Council (WAAC)

Individual of the Year – Viktor Strizek: Recycleman Perth

Refund Point Employee of the Year – Lleyton Brown from Avon Valley Cash4Containers

Not-for-Profit/Small Refund Point Operator of the Year – Goomalling Toodyay Containers for Change

Medium Refund Point Operator of the Year – City of Fremantle Containers for Change

Large Refund Point Operator of the Year – Good Sammy

Partnership of the Year – The Veterans Transition Centre

Change Maker of the Year – Kensington Secondary School