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Western Australia Return Recycle Renew Limited (WARRRL) is the not-for-profit organisation created to establish and run Containers for Change in Western Australia.

Beverage containers make up 41% of all litter in Western Australia (2019 – 2020 National Litter Index [PDF]) even though they are made from easily recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, aluminium, and cardboard.

To help encourage more Western Australians to collect and return these containers, Containers for Change provides a 10-cent refund per container recycled.

Western Australia is the fifth state or territory to adopt a container deposit scheme (CDS), following the lead of South Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Queensland.

In July 2019, then Western Australian Minister for Environment, Hon. Stephen Dawson (MLC), appointed WARRRL to the office of Coordinator of the Scheme under section 47X of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007 (WA) (Act).

Upon appointment, WARRRL began working with industry partners to recruit a team and create a network of refund points in time for the then scheduled launch date of 2 June 2020.

By March 2020, the WARRRL team had significantly progressed the plans to deliver a strong network of refund point operators, well supported by logistics and processing providers. However, with the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Australian government introduced strict protocols to minimise the spread of COVID-19 in the State, and the decision was made to delay the launch of the Scheme until 1 October 2020.

As of two years of operations a total of 1.67 billion eligible containers were returned and redeemed through the scheme — injecting more than $167 million into Western Australia’s economy through refunds.

WARRRL - AIM WA - Pinnacle Awards - 2021 Winner

Mission

  • Empower communities with the knowledge and motivation to easily recycle.
  • Provide a refund point network that is safe, stable, efficient, widely accessible, and financially sustainable.
  • Build a culture which recognises and celebrates the positive impact of Containers for Change.

AIMS

  • Increase the recovery and recycling of beverage containers.
  • Reduce the amount of beverage containers in litter and landfill.
  • Help create new jobs in our communities.
  • Work with existing collection and recycling programs in Western Australia.
  • Make sure manufacturers fulfil their product stewardship responsibilities.
  • Encourage social enterprise to improve communities and our environment.
  • Help not-for-profits, clubs, and charities fundraise and make a difference in their community.

Our Values

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Respect for community

Community is core to the scheme; we value and respect community engagement.
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Sustainability

We will ensure our economic, environmental, and social dimensions are not compromised throughout the implementation and operation of the scheme to ensure it is available for future generations and creating long-term value.
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Accountability, transparency and integrity

We build trust and work to a high ethical standard to ensure an ongoing commitment to the scheme.
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Partnership and innovation

We will enable creativity, innovation, and growth through constructive engagement with all scheme participants and stakeholders.
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Creating opportunity

We are committed to supporting scheme participant aspirations.
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Inclusiveness and diversity

We will overcome exclusion and promote opportunities for participation to everyone.

Our Board

The WARRRL Board is made up of leaders in business and innovation, including representatives from beverage manufacturing and logistics industries.
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Hon Sheila McHale AM

Chair

As the then Chief Executive Officer of Palmerston Association, a Western Australian not-for-profit alcohol and other drug service, Sheila steered the organisation through significant change and growth.

More about HON SHEILA MCHALE

Under her almost decade-long leadership, the size of Palmerston grew by over 100% and the budget nearly tripled.

During her time as CEO, Sheila was a frequent public commentator on evidence-based approaches to alcohol and other drug programs. Stepping down as CEO in January 2019, Sheila continues to bring her strong leadership and substantial experience to her board and community roles.

She is a board director of the YMCA WA, a state councillor of the Governance Institute of Australia WA Division, a board director,  YMCA Services and Y Safeguarding Australia, and deputy Chairperson of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority Board.

Sheila is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Management WA (AIM WA) and Governance Institute of Australia, and a WA State Councillor of the latter. Sheila was the 2017 AIM WA not-for-profit leader of the year.

Sheila served as a Member of the Western Australian Parliament for 12 years (1996 – 2008) and Cabinet Minister for eight years (2001 – 2008). During this time, she held a range of portfolios including Tourism, Consumer Protection, Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Disability Services, and Aboriginal Affairs.

Sheila’s expertise in the areas of governance, high-level communication, negotiation, and strategic leadership, together with her substantial experience in navigating government processes, is invaluable in her various roles and responsibilities, including as Chair of WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd.

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Rebecca Prince-Ruiz Oam

Director

Rebecca is the founder and Executive Director of the Plastic Free Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that organises the annual Plastic Free July challenge.

More about Rebecca Prince-Ruiz

The Plastic Free July challenge encourages people in Australia and around the world to reduce their use of single-use plastic.

Rebecca has more than 25 years’ experience in the world of environmental and waste management, community engagement, and sustainability behaviour change. She is a seasoned public speaker, presenting on the Plastic Free July challenge, plastic pollution, and behaviour change in Australia, New Zealand, India, USA, and the UK.

Rebecca also worked to help structure and promote the lightweight plastic bag ban in Western Australia that came into effect in 2018 and is a representative on WA’s Waste Reform Advisory Group.

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Stephen Drake-Brockman

Director

Stephen has over 25 years’ experience in the waste management and recycling industries. In 1978, Stephen founded the Recycling Company of WA (RCWA).

More about Stephen Drake-Brockman

Ten years later, he pioneered fortnightly recycling collection services in Perth’s metropolitan area — the success of which saw the initiative expand across the State, including into rural and regional local government areas.

Under Stephen’s leadership, the RCWA successfully operated Materials Recovery Facilities in Wangara and Canning Vale as well recycling facilities in North Fremantle. Stephen has had considerable experience in handling and processing large tonnages of commercial and industrial recyclables.

Stephen’s expertise and extensive experience in the waste management industry has seen him appointed to various associations, boards, and taskforces.

Stephen was the State President of the Waste Management Association of Australia (1992 – 1996), a Member of the National Board of the Waste Management Association of Australia (1992 – 1996), and in 2000 was appointed by the WA Minister for the Environment to the WAste 2020 Taskforce.

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Belinda Moharich

Director

Belinda Moharich is a qualified lawyer and town planner, practising in the areas of planning and environment law. In 2015, she established the Western Australian law firm Moharich & More.

More about Belinda Moharich

Throughout her career, Belinda has worked in a variety of private practice and government roles. Notably, Belinda was appointed as the Principal Registrar and a senior member of the Town Planning Appeal Tribunal in 2003, and as a founding member of the State Administrative Tribunal in January 2005.

Belinda is the recipient of several awards including the Best Lawyers LLC Award for Planning and Environmental Law, Western Australia (2014 to present), Land Use and Zoning Law, Western Australia (2016 to present); and the Doyle’s Guide Preeminent Planning and Environmental Lawyer, Western Australia (2014 to present).

Belinda is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia and a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. She has an in-depth understanding of government decision-making processes and town planning concepts, bringing a pro-active and practical voice to the table.

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Nicholas Gan

Director

Nick is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Phosphate Resources Limited (PRL), a role that utilises his expertise across operations, finance, business diversification and growth, and corporate governance.

More about Nicholas Gan

Nick has used his ability to drive business growth throughout his career, which has also included over a decade of senior positions within the beverage industry.

His Directorships include the Indian Ocean Oil Company, Christmas Island Maintenance Services, and Indian Ocean Stevedores; each role has benefited from Nick’s ability to create and analyse core business and strategic plans, develop and implement key operational strategies, and to identify and mitigate risk.

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Ashley Chaleyer

Director

Ashley is a senior policy and public affairs advisor with diverse private and public sector experience.

More about Ashley Chaleyer

Ashley’s previous roles include advising state governments and Ministers on international trade (particularly WTO law and policy), and consulting to the banking sector on ethical finance and sustainability policy.

Prior to this, as a solicitor in private practice, he advised in the conduct and resolution of large-scale oil and gas infrastructure disputes at two international firms in Melbourne and Perth. Currently, he leads public policy engagement for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (Australia)(formerly Amatil)

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Reece Wheadon

Director

Reece is a community minded and diversely experienced hospitality, beverage and engagement professional.

More about Reece Wheadon

Reece is a community minded and diversely experienced hospitality, beverage and engagement professional. Having founded Nowhereman Brewing Co in 2017, Reece has added The Ten Foot Tall Group and Nowhereman’s multi award winning charitable arm Hospofam since then. Reece sits on the board of WARRRL as the small producer representative bringing experience as a producer and his experience and qualifications in environmental management.

Prior to the beverage industry Reece had extensive experience in the not for profit sector and student engagement, welfare and experience at Curtin University. He has sat on numerous industry associations and boards at state and national levels throughout his career.

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Edward Dowse

Director

Edward Dowse is an experienced finance and commercial leader with 20 years of experience across a range of industries.

More about Edward Dowse

Edwards’s industry experience includes fast moving consumer goods, manufacturing, and transportation. He has been with Lion for over six years and currently leads their involvement in container deposit schemes across Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to Lion, Edward spent over 10 years at Ernst & Young advising major lenders, investors, and corporates in relation to business performance, strategic options analysis, financial restructures, and turnarounds in both Australia and Europe.

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REBECCA LOCH

Sustainability Leader

Rebecca is an experienced Procurement and ESG leader with diverse international experience in transportation, automotive, healthcare, and FMCG.

More about Rebecca Loch

Rebecca has been at Lion for four years and is currently responsible for Lion’s Social Impact and Human Rights programs, including the Reconciliation Action Plan, Modern Slavery, and Community Investment.

Prior to joining Lion, Rebecca was at Johnson & Johnson for nine years in various Procurement leadership roles. She has held various operational and commercial roles in automotive and transportation industries over the course of her career.

Rebecca is passionate about creating ESG strategies that align with business objectives to deliver value beyond the financial — resulting in positive, enduring, environmental and social change.

Our Executive Team

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Tim Cusack

Chief Executive Officer

Tim is an experienced supply chain and leadership professional with 30 years’ experience in manufacturing, logistics, and general management.

More about Tim Cusack

Tim has worked with some of Australia’s leading companies including George Weston Foods, Fonterra Australia, Lion Nathan, Lion Corporate, Arnott’s, and Detmold Packaging. He has also worked closely with the dairy and potato growing sectors in Western Australia.

Earlier in his career, Tim was a Ministerial Chief of Staff in the Unsworth ministry of the New South Wales Government.

Tim’s broad experience includes delivering major change and development programs which will assist WARRRL in establishing and operating a world class container deposit scheme for Western Australia.

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Nicola Brandon

Head of Marketing and Communications

Nicola is a marketing and commercial leader with over 20 years’ experience across industries such as fast-moving consumer goods and tourism both internationally and here in WA.

More about Nicola Brandan

Her industry expertise focusses on high-level, results driven leadership strategy, digital and brand strategy, audience engagement, and organisational growth which has seen proven results with leading organisations including WA Museum Boola Bardip, City of Perth, Carlton & United Breweries, Nestlé, Perth Airport, and Treasury Wine Estates.

With a background in accounting and training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Nicola brings highly developed analytical, financial, and selling skills combined with creative energy to drive business growth initiatives.

Nicola’s skills and experience in community engagement, consumer behaviour, stakeholder management, media planning, visitation strategies, and audience growth will help drive Containers for Change brand awareness and behaviour change.

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Kristen Britz

Head of Information Technology, Processors & Logistics

With an international career of over 20 years spanning across multiple industries including supply chain management, operations, fast-moving consumer goods, general business, and software development.

More about Kristen Britz

Using his experience and his MBA, where he focused on strategy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and international business, Kristen’s focus initially will be removing existing barriers and creating technological pathways to enable participants in the scheme to improve user experience and facilitate scheme growth using innovation and technology.

Kristen is passionate about making a difference in WA through Containers for Change and has a keen interest in continuous improvement finding the 1% gains to get us to 85% redemption.

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Amy Lennox

Head of Scheme Integrity

Amy’s career in quality assurance, compliance, and regulatory management spans over 15 years. Amy is a qualified auditor, trainer, and assessor with a career that spans over 15 years in quality assurance, compliance, and regulatory management.

More about Amy Lennox

Amy has worked with some of Western Australia’s leading training organisations as well as Commonwealth and State Government departments. In these roles, Amy managed broad regulatory compliance that impacted both small and large businesses.

Previous experience in the education sector, where she established and operated her own business for several years, saw Amy specialise in providing audit, compliance monitoring, and support services for training providers along with developing compliance management systems and governance frameworks.

Passionate about sustainability, the environment, and contributing to long term behaviour change, Amy is excited to be working with our network partners to foster and promote a culture of continuous improvement, self-assurance, and quality.

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Michael Madden

Head of Finance and Commercial, Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and Recyclers

Over a career spanning 30 years, Michael has worked across various industries including logistics, fast-moving consumer goods, and manufacturing.

More about Michael Madden

Michael has leveraged his strong background in financial and commercial roles into non-financial roles including general management, operations, customer relationships, and contract management.

Michael’s role within WARRRL utilises his broad experience and sees him working with our partners across the Containers for Change network to provide efficient and effective movement of containers for the benefit of all scheme participants.

Our Organisation

More than 821 jobs have been created through WARRRL and the State’s refund point network. This includes jobs for 77 people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and 187 people who were long-term unemployed or are living with a disability.

Visit the WARRRL Career’s page for current employment opportunities.