On Friday 15 October, the Containers for Change community came together at the inaugural Change Maker Awards at Crown Perth to celebrate 12 months of effort, success and growth.
More than 500 trailblazers recognized and congratulated the refund point operators, community groups and schools who have taken the lead in ensuring West Aussies saved 765 million 10c containers from the fill over the past 12 months.
Guests were entertained by MC David Berrie, wowed by the acrobatic skill of the Turning Point Performance Academy and Fliptease and moved to tears by the wonderful story of super collector Cameron Danzi. Tony Galati (with eyebrows still intact) shared the secret of his unique dinner jacket, and we also heard how much Containers for Change has positively impacted the life of Remondis driver Cleeve, as well as the entire culture of Remondis Australia.
Our special guests Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA, Minister for Environment, and Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Mental Health, Aboriginal Affairs and Industrial Relations, were on hand to award the Change Maker of the Year award and the Local Marketing Initiative award, respectively.
A massive thank you to everyone who attended – it truly was a night of celebration and joy as we all work towards saving as many 10c containers from the fill as possible, feeding millions of dollars back into our community, creating jobs for all and helping people in need.
We can't wait to see what the next 12 months will bring and once again pass on a hearty congratulations to all of the 2021 Change Maker Awards finalists and recipients.
Safety
Safety in the workplace and throughout the refund point network is a core priority of Containers for Change. Finalists have demonstrated how they are implementing exemplary safety initiatives, using best practice health and safety processes or techniques to deliver a safe environment for their employees, customers and stakeholders.
Finalists
City of Bunbury Refund Point
City of Stirling Container Refund Centre
Community Recycling WA
Fremantle Containers for Change
North West Recycling
The recipient of the 2021 Safety Award, sponsored by MASTER, is the City of Bunbury Refund Point.
Customer Focus
An excellent customer experience is critical to the ongoing success of Containers for Change across the state. Finalists have demonstrated how they are delivering outstanding experiences for customers, providing examples where possible on how these initiatives were identified and delivered and how the successful implementation has demonstrated a commitment to customer focus.
Finalists
Avonvalley Cash 4 Containers
Bridging the Gap
Cash for Containers Rockingham
MR Refund
The recipient of the 2021 Customer Focus Award sponsored by Container Deposit Systems is Avonvalley Cash 4 Containers.
Community Engagement
Making a positive change in the community is a key objective of Containers for Change. Finalists have demonstrated how they are working within their local community for the benefit of their local community, including employment/volunteer outcomes, fundraising goals, and community engagement and awareness.
Finalists
Ability WA
Avonvalley Cash 4 Containers
Care for Hedland Environmental Association Inc
Good Sammy Enterprises
Greenskills Container Recycling Albany
North West Recycling
The recipient of the 2021 Community Engagement Award sponsored by CES is Good Sammy Enterprises.
Innovation
Containers for Change encourages the use of innovative solutions as we work towards ensuring as many 10c containers as possible are saved from landfill. Finalists have demonstrated how they are implementing outstanding innovation, with detail on the projected long-term benefits and the level of difficulty or ingenuity required.
Finalists
Avonvalley Cash 4 Containers
City of Stirling Container Refund Centre
Fremantle Containers for Change
North West Recycling
The recipient of the 2021 Innovation Award sponsored by Remondis is North West Recycling.
Local Marketing Initiative
Containers for Change is now the most recognised recycling program in Western Australia and relies on its strong network of refund points to help translate that awareness to visitation at the local level.
Finalists have demonstrated an effective local marketing campaign(s) they have initiated or participated in, which promotes Containers for Change.
Finalists
Avonvalley Cash 4 Containers
Care for Hedland Environmental Association Inc
Cash for Containers Rockingham
MR Refund
North West Recycling
The recipient of the 2021 Local Marketing Initiative Award sponsored by The Brand Agency is Care for Hedland Environmental Association.
Community Participant
People working together in a community with a shared goal and common purpose can make the impossible happen. The Community Participant of the Year Award is for an individual, organisation or business independent of Containers for Change who has demonstrated an outstanding level of participation. Finalists have demonstrated what they are doing within the community to help reduce litter, improve access to Containers for Change, and/or provide significant community benefit.
Finalists
Graeme Savage
Jarrahdale Community Collective and Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
Logan Gregory
Old Bastards Association, Carnarvon Branch
Outdoor Adventure Youth Group
RTRFM
The recipient of the 2021 Community Participant Award sponsored by The West Australian and Perth Now Newspapers is The Old Bastards Association, Carnarvon Branch.
School of the Year
Schools are a critical audience for driving participation in Containers for Change and supporting access to the local community. The School of the Year Award is for a school or educational institution that has demonstrated an outstanding level of participation in Containers for Change. Finalists have demonstrated how the school has encouraged the recycling of 10c containers, as well as any education undertaken within their school or local community on the environmental and/or social benefits of Containers for Change.
Finalists
Albany Secondary Education Support Centre
Borden Primary School
Mukinbudin District High School P&C
Newton Moore Senior High School
The recipient of the 2021 School of the Year Award sponsored by AV Partners, is Borden Primary School.
Change Maker of the Year
Celebrating the best of the best, the Change Maker of the Year award recognises the refund point that can best demonstrate excellence across the five key areas celebrated tonight – safety, customer focus, community engagement, local marketing and innovation. Finalists have also demonstrated how they have applied the objectives of Containers for Change. All finalists and winners of the individual refund point category awards were eligible for the Change Maker of the Year award, and the winner must have submitted an entry in all categories.
Finalists
Avonvalley Cash 4 Containers
Care for Hedland Environmental Association Inc
City of Stirling Container Refund Centre
Greenskills Container Recycling Albany
North West Recycling
The recipient of the 2021 Change Maker of the Year Award, sponsored by Cleanaway, is Avonvalley Cash 4 Containers.