How to determine container eligibility

Home The RPO Portal RPO Guide Part 1 - Getting started 1. Accepting, sorting and counting containers b. Eligible containers and contamination How to determine container eligibility

It is important to know if a returned container is eligible and therefore accepted at WA refund points for two reasons: 

  1. RPOs can only be paid a handling fee or be reimbursed for cash payments on returned containers that are eligible. 
  2. By accepting and processing non-eligible containers, you may be in breach of State legislation and your Refund Point Agreement.
    If you have reason to believe a container is not accepted, you should refuse the container. 

 

Definition of eligible containers

According to relevant Western Australian legislation, the formal definition of a container that is eligible for a refund, is that it is an empty container that has previously been filled with liquid for human consumption. 

To be eligible, a container must also respect the rules dictated by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). 

The following table is the official document that should be referred to by RPOs: 

DWER table of eligible containers  

 

Summary of eligibility conditions 

To be eligible, the container

  • Meets DWER approval requirements. 
  • Is free of liquid. 
  • Is free of contamination (E.G., dirt, hazardous material, cigarette butts). 
  • Must be whole/intact (excluding the lid and straws). 
  • Must be recognizable as an approved container, particularly if collected as litter or it is weather damaged.  

The following posters are useful tools to help you understand and decide what containers can be accepted:  

 

Eligibility and the 10c mark 

Most eligible containers now bear the 10c mark. This mark is a quick and easy way for your customers to identify containers that may be redeemed. 

However, it is important to understand the 10c mark is not always accurate. Staff should be aware of DWER’s eligibility rules to confidently deal with customer returns if this situation arises. 

 

Why do some ineligible containers still display the 10c mark?  

Some states have slightly different eligibility rules for products and therefore manufacturers have labelled their products with the 10c mark and the words, “10c refund at collection depots/points in participating State/Territory of purchase”.   

Additionally, there is no regulation preventing manufacturers from displaying the 10c mark on a container that is not accepted. It is therefore important for staff to understand eligibility rules and not solely rely on the 10c mark. 

 

Database and barcode eligibility

Another safe way to check if a product is accepted is to use the Containers for Change database, which is accessible from our website. It can also be directly accessed from your POS system our the C4C app. 

Once you have accessed the database, scan or key in the product’s barcode. This will detail the container’s eligibility and its material type.   

 

Unregistered eligible containers

It is important to understand that new products are continually being added to the market, and some of these products might not be registered with the scheme or display the 10c mark but still meet the eligibility criteria.  

If you believe a returned container is eligible, but it is not registered or does not display the 10c mark, follow these steps:  

  1. Check the DWER eligibility table. This is the safest way to determine the eligibility of a container.
     
  2. Send details of the product to WARRRL. You have two option 

Option  1: Send an email to [email protected] making sure to include: 

    • Product name. 
    • Size. 
    • Barcode number. 
    • Material type. 
    • Manufacturer details. 

The easiest and most accurate way to do this is by sending a photo of the front and back of the container. The team will confirm if the container is accepted and work with the manufacturer to have the product added to our database if necessary.  

OR

Option 2: Use the C4C app.

  • Open the C4C app. Go to “more” and “Scanner’
  • Scan the product barcode
  • “Container is not eligible” message comes up. Scroll down until you see “Flag container for review”
  • Hit “Flag container for review”
  • Enter the PIN : 0110
  • Complete the form, it will be directly sent to our team.

 

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