Bridgetown recycling program puts funds raised back into local community

Containers For Change in Bridgetown is helping the environment while also putting much-needed funds back into the community. Taking over the Containers For Change in Bridgetown last month, Iggy Van is determined help change people’s mindsets about recycling all while giving back to the community who support the shift. His passion stems from being part of a generation which he says has “made some mistakes” when it comes to the environment. Seven years ago, he changed careers to focus on sustainable practises and is now the chief executive of Hemp Squared — a company which makes building blocks out of industrial hemp. “It’s not a guilt feeling, but it’s an opportunity for me to actually get on board with what’s important for the future,” he said. “The reason why I got involved in the Containers for Change is that I used to be heavily involved in the corporate world. In 2017, I moved away from that, and completely reviewed what I wanted to do. “Instead of sitting on my seat in the ivory tower, I wanted to do much more at the ground level and work in that space. Containers for Change fits in that realm.” Prior to leading CFC in Bridgetown, Mr Van counted the recycled goods for the initiative and got to know the program, and its room for improvement. “Every container that ends up recycled is one container that is not going in landfill,” Mr Van said. “We have got donation bins that we rotate on a monthly basis, and every container gets 10 cents, and that 10 cents is then donated to the Charity of the Month. “Containers for Change in Bridgetown hopes to return about $10,000 to the community per year, to community groups, with containers that we collect ourselves as well.” Last month, the recycling initiative raised $313 for two charities: Blackwood Youth action and Transition Bridgetown. Drop offs can be made at the Bridgetown Shire Waste Facility on Recycle Road during the tip’s opening hours. Most plastic and glass bottles, as well as drink cartons, cans and pouches, that are 150mL to 3L can be returned to Containers for Change if they have the 10¢ mark.