One year on, our community is recycling like champions

It’s been just over one year since the City’s Recycling Centre welcomed two new facilities, the Reuse Shop and Containers for Change Drop & Go station, making it easier for the community to dispose of waste more responsibly, contribute to the circular economy and give unwanted items a second life. 

Since opening in August 2025, the new facilities have already made a big impact, with the Drop & Go station collecting almost 220,000 eligible containers and the Reuse Shop receiving 62 tonnes of quality pre-loved second-hand items to be resold. 

The Reuse Shop, operated by Workpower, has become a popular destination for people looking for affordable second-hand gems. From furniture and homewares to sporting equipment and bric-a-brac, preloved items donated by locals are prepared for sale by Workpower staff, creating employment opportunities for people living with disability.  

The Drop & Go station, operated by Good Sammy, which also services the charity clothing bins on site, provides a convenient way to return eligible 10c drink containers for a refund or donation to an eligible local charity or organisation of your choice  

In its first year with the new facilities, the Recycling Centre received a total of 2,155 tonnes of recyclable material (the equivalent of around 144 full waste truckloads), which is an increase of almost 15 per cent compared with the previous year. This growth reflects the increasing number of people using the Centre as a one-stop drop-off point, not just for 10c drink containers and quality donations, but also for recyclables including green waste, scrap metal, cardboard and more. 

The City also introduced Verge Valet™, a pre-booked verge collection service, in July 2025, providing residents with a convenient way to dispose of bulk and green waste while helping recover more materials for reuse and recycling. Collections are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays subject to booking availability. 

Last financial year, Verge Valet™ collected more than 445 tonnes of bulk waste from City of South Perth verges through over 3,000 collections. Of this, we estimate over 80% of the materials including metal, wood and paper/card were recovered. 

There were also nearly 2,000 green waste collections. All 241.73 tonnes of green waste collected through Verge Valet™ was recovered and reused as mulch and compost, achieving a 100 per cent recovery rate. 

Together, these initiatives support the City’s commitment to reducing waste, encouraging reuse and creating a more circular approach to resources. 

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shopped, dropped off, reused and recycled over the past year. 

The year in numbers:  

• 220,000 eligible containers received by the Containers for Change Drop & Go station 
• 62 tonnes of quality items donated and sold by the Reuse Shop 
• 2,155 tonnes of recyclable material received by the Recycling Centre (equal to 144 full waste truckloads) 
• 391 tonnes of bulk waste collected through Verge Valettm recovered and reused 
• 241.73 tonnes of green waste collected through Verge Valettm recovered and reused 

The City of South Perth Recycling Centre is open Wednesday-Sunday 8am-2pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.