Gascoyne and Mid West residents proven avid recyclers

It is National Recycling Week, and data from the Containers for Change scheme is showing recycling enthusiasts in the Gascoyne and Mid West are punching well above their weight.

Over the first 30 days of the scheme, the State Government initiative processed over 1.09 million containers in the Mid West and almost 200,000 in the Gascoyne.

Although that’s just a fraction of the 27.8 million containers were recycled in WA during that time, each region has a relatively small population making the relative contribution enormous.

Using population data from the Department of Primary Industries, we’ve calculated a rough average of 19 cans per person recycled in the Mid West, and 20 per person for the Gascoyne.

The regions were the top two performers, followed by the South West, Wheatbelt and Pilbara, all returning approximately 17 cans per person.

Using ABS population data, we calculated Perth’s average was around 10 containers per person.

WA Return Recycle Renew, the scheme operators in the state, congratulated Gascoyne recyclers for their effort over the last month.

Chief executive Tim Cusack said: “The figures that are coming out of areas like the Gascoyne are really impressive. We hope everyone can keep up the good work and continue to make a change.”

The Aboriginal Biodiversity Conservation Foundation manage refund points in Shark Bay, Carnarvon and Exmouth.

Chief executive Alison Sentance said: “We have been overwhelmed with the support from the local communities and we are so excited to see everyone else as excited as us to have this recycling programme in the Gascoyne”.

She said she didn’t see the excitement for the program simmering down any time soon.

“We believe the enthusiasm and effort will continue and grow as more people find out about the scheme, how it can benefit local communities and as we’re able to reach further out in the Gascoyne through site pickups and bulk agreements with local groups and commercials,” said Ms Sentance.