Great Southern recycling heroes clean up 2022 Change Maker Awards

Great Southern schools have cleaned up at the 2022 Change Maker Awards, with Albany Secondary Education Support Centre sharing the night’s top honour. The second annual Change Maker Awards were hosted by WA Return Recycle Renew Limited at Crown Perth on November 4, recognising growth in WA’s Containers for Change community. More than 600 guests turned out to celebrate the achievements of community groups, businesses, schools and individuals who have embraced the recycling scheme and helped WA saved 1.67 million 10c containers from landfill in the past year. Twenty-six finalists were in the running for the awards across nine categories, including the overall title of change maker of the year. ASESC, Bremer Bay Primary School P&C Association and Newdegate Container Exchange all won their respective categories, taking out four of the nine awards. ASESC won the school of the year category — which was won by Borden Primary School last year — before sharing the change maker of the year award with South West group MR Refund. The Albany students created their own container collection business called ASESC Rec Collection in late 2020 with the support of late Albany businessman Paul Lionetti. Teacher and program co-ordinator Jacob Butler said the program was designed to develop students’ skills in problem solving, teamwork, forward planning and customer service as well as fostering a deeper understanding of recyclable materials, personal protective equipment usage, and health and safety practices. He said the students created their own business plan and marketing materials, liaised with local businesses, and collected and counted the containers. “The students were absolutely thrilled that all their work over the past few years has been recognised,” Mr Butler said. Their client base has more than doubled over the past two years, with funds being donated to a charity of the students’ choice. So far, the ASESC students have collected almost 55,000 containers. “We were hoping to win school of the year,” Mr Butler said. “The fact that we walked away with the joint change maker award as well is just amazing. “This recognition of the program means so much to the students who have taken ownership of the program and have witnessed first-hand the value of hard work and how it benefits others.” Bremer Bay Primary School P&C Association won the community group or charity of the year award for their work tackling the overflow of rubbish associated with Bremer Bay’s summer tourist season. The P&C used Containers for Change to solve the problem, providing financial support for the school, and saving containers from landfill. Newdegate Container Exchange took out the volunteer refund point operator of the year award for their passion and community spirit. The exchange provides opportunities for the community to reduce landfill and for a local young adult with a disability to work at the local refund point. The Newdegate group has been active in the community, contacting local businesses, sports clubs and starting their own Facebook page to encourage the town to recycle. Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby said it was exciting to see the Containers for Change scheme go from strength to strength. “I congratulate the winners and finalists who have gone above and beyond in the fight against landfill and are working hard to create change,” he said. “What a fantastic night to acknowledge the dedication of our waste warriors, who are leading the way in reducing, reusing and recycling.”