Recycle for Change

Why you should recycle

Did you know that your old phones, laptops and containers could help the environment and your community? Here’s how it works.

Recycling reduces pollution from landfills

Recycling helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. It lowers the amount of pollution that goes into the air, soil and waterways, protecting both the environment and all the animals that rely on those ecosystems – including us!           

Recycling reduces manufacturing pollution

By reusing the valuable parts of those items, recycling helps to reduce the overall quantity of new parts that need to be manufactured. Choosing to recycle instead of discarding quality parts lowers the amount of pollution created at all stages of the supply chain; from the factories that produce items, to the boats, trains and planes that carry them around the world.

Recycling can raise funds to help children

Choosing to recycle through eligible organisations can support the work we do for children. Incredible initiatives from organisations like PhoneCycle and Containers for Change allow you to recycle your unwanted items while raising funds for Save the Children. This enables you to help the environment and support important projects in your local community.

How you can do it

So right about now you would be assuming there’s a catch to all these benefits – well there isn’t one! Simply sign up to one of the following organisations and you can start getting rid of unwanted items, reducing pollution and supporting our work with children!           

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) lets you make positive change by fundraising and recycling at the same time. Your containers can earn a 10-cent refund and make a real difference supporting the work we do with children. Simply donate your valuable container refunds at your nearest refund point and choose Save the Children as the recipient of your donation. 

It’s as easy as 1,2,3

Step 1: Collect eligible drink containers

Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible. Look for the 10c mark on the back of pack. Some drinks are not eligible, including plain milk containers, wine and spirit bottles.

Tip: Keep lids on and don’t crush your containers.

Step 2: Return your eligible drink containers

This interactive map makes it easy to discover refund points near you.

Step 3: Earn a refund

All eligible drink containers are worth a 10-cent refund that you can either keep, or donate to a community donation partner.

You can choose to donate to Save the Children Australia by either searching our name or entering our custom ID: C2000010285.

For any questions have a look through the CDS website or contact us at events@savethechildren.org.au.

PhoneCycle

PhoneCycle offers simple and sustainable recycling solutions for mobile phones, tablets and laptops. By recovering and reusing parts from these devices, they have diverted over 63,000 kilograms of e-waste from landfills. 

How you can raise money for Save the Children through PhoneCycle:

1. Collect old mobile phone and tablets

   Organise an old device drive at your workplace, school or within your family. You must collect over 10 devices PhoneCycle will arrange a free courier collection.

2. Send to PhoneCycle

   Once you have collected over 10 devices you can book a free collection with PhoneCycle. Once PhoneCycle has received the phone they will erase the data and assess the value.

3. Donate to Save the Children

   Choose Save the Children Australia as your charity of choice and PhoneCycle will automatically donate the money to Save the Children.

4. Share the word

   Tell everyone just how easy it is to fundraise for Save the Children this way and encourage others to do the same. Why not set up a collection at your workplace, school, or sports club?

Containers for Change (WA & QLD)

Containers for Change is an initiative helping residents of Western Australia and Queensland to recycle drink containers and put the profit towards creating lasting social change. Every container has the potential to be recycled, and every refund has the potential to be donated. 

If you live in QLD or WA and have a drink container with a 10c mark, you can bring it to Containers for Change and donate your refund to support Save the Children programs.

How you can raise money for Save the Children through Containers for Change:

1. Save your containers

   If your drink container has a 10c mark, it can be recycled. Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3L can be saved. Make sure you take off the lids – we recycle those too, just separately.

2. ​Bring them to containers for change

   Don’t let your containers’ potential go to waste. All across WA & QLD, they have refund points that will suit you. Depending on how many containers you’re returning and how you would like to receive your refund, find your local refund point.  You can find the best drop off location in WA here and in QLD here. 

3. Donate the refund

   Use Save the Children Australia’s scheme ID C10404179 when at your local refund point to donate the refund from your containers.

4. Share the word

   Tell everyone just how easy it is to fundraise for Save the Children this way and encourage others to do the same. Why not set up a collection at your workplace, school or sports club?