CONNIE SAVAGE
Staffies United Rescue (SUR) are encouraging people to cash in their empty bottles and donate their 10 cent refund to rescue dogs in need.
It’s as simple as collecting eligible bottles, taking them to a local Containers for Change collection point and keying in SUR’s scheme ID, which is C10063848.
Staffies United Rescue’s president, Cara Burgess, said donations made through Containers for Change helped them pay for much-needed vet work for their rescue dogs.
“SUR has been signed up with Containers for Change for about six months,” Ms Burgess said.
“In this time, we’ve received almost $100, which is quite a significant number of bottles recycled,” she said.
“It may only be a small amount, but every cent really counts.
“The donations are used to ensure our dogs are de-sexed, vaccinated and microchipped before they are rehomed.”
This includes an eight-year-old medium male Staffy x Boxer Mix dog named Bridgy.
SUR said Bridgy was “a happy, energetic boy who is looking to find a foster carer or adoptive family”.
With the extra funds raised through Containers for Change, Bridgy has been de-sexed, wormed, vaccinated and treated for heartworm.
Ms Burgess said Containers for Change makes donating easy.
“It gives everyone, no matter where they live, the opportunity to donate,” she said.
“If people can’t donate, they can still help SUR by donating directly, sponsoring a dog, fostering, volunteering, or liking and sharing our social media page,” Ms Burgess said.
Container Exchange is the not-for-profit organisation that delivers the Containers for Change scheme.
Container Exchange CEO Ken Noye said in a statement that the Containers for Change scheme was a great way for charities to raise money.
“More than 4300 community groups and charities have registered for a scheme ID, which they can share to encourage charitable giving within the community,” Mr Noye said in the statement.
“Since the scheme has started, community groups and charities have generated more than $1.2 million through their scheme IDs,” he said.
First time Containers for Change user, India Goldstien, said it was an easy process to collect cash from containers and make a donation.
“I did some research and was able to locate my nearest collection point, which was actually closer to me than I expected,” Ms Goldstien said.
“After waiting in line, Containers for Change took my bags of cans and gave me a receipt with the total number of containers I had,” she said.
“Then all you have to do is go to the front desk where you can either collect your cash or give your refund as a donation.”
Ms Goldstien said she was currently building up her can collection for her next trip.
“I found when I went I had very few cans compared to everyone else, so I’m trying to collect as many as I can,” Ms Goldstien said.
“It feels good knowing I’m helping the environment, one can at a time,” she said.
“I just wish I had heard of it sooner.”
To find a container refund point, visit the Containers for Change website.
For more information about Staffies United Rescue, visit their Facebook page.