Recycling plant wins high praise

The highly-anticipated containers for change scheme officially kicked off across the State last week, helping clean up Karratha streets and offer meaningful employment for locals.

Karratha’s local refund point is North West Recycling, a brand new business and facility in the city centre driven by locals Jake and Jodie Swaffer.

The scheme involves a 10¢ refund for eligible containers such as most glass, plastic, aluminium, steel and paper-based cartons between 150ml and three litres.

It is set to benefit the environment with an estimated additional 6.6 billion containers to be recycled over the next 20 years that would otherwise go to landfill or be littered.

The scheme also plans to foster job development and has a focus on providing employment opportunities for people living with a disability, the long-term unemployed and Indigenous people.

NWR owner Jodie Swaffer said she was excited the scheme was able to give back and provide a revenue stream for many community and sporting groups. “We’ve already been speaking to both (Clontarf and the Girls Academy) to open up some positions for some of the students that are interested,” she said.

“I love that it’s going to clean up our streets. I think that’s going to be really special.”

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said the initiative was a win for the environment as well as locals.

“I think Jodie and Jake might have 11 people over time working here and that’s great,” he said.

“The partnership with Clontarf is fantastic. It’s exactly what the scheme is about in Western Australia. Bringing those marginalised and disadvantaged groups in and creating opportunities for them as well as looking after the environment.”

Mr Dawson said the NWR facility was one of the best in WA.

“This is a fantastic facility. Jodie and Jake have done a great job and they have looked after the environment in many ways,” he said.

“It’s a sustainable facility as well. It will just make a difference for the Pilbara having a facility like this.”