Recycling champions celebrated at 2023 Change Maker Awards

• Change Maker Awards recognise recycling leaders
• Kensington Secondary School named winner of the 2023 Change Maker of the Year

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, saw over 600 guests celebrate the achievements of refund point operators, community groups, businesses, schools and individuals who have taken the lead in helping Western Australians save over 2.5 billion containers from landfill.

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

This year's Change Maker Awards saw 30 finalists recognised across nine categories.

The top achievement for the evening was the Change Maker of the Year Award, which recognised 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.

For more information visit 2023 Change Maker Awards | Containers for Change WA

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

"Western Australians have embraced Containers for Change, returning hundreds of millions of 10 cent containers in two short 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."

Comments attributed to WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL) CEO, Tim Cusack:

"What a year of accomplishments, we are very proud of all the finalists and winners across the Containers for Change refund network.

"The awards were a great opportunity to acknowledge the meaningful contributions that refund points are making to prevent landfill and help community groups across our 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