Cockburn’s Zero Waste Refill Station – the first opened in WA by a local government – has helped locals join the fight against single-use containers, particularly those made from plastic.
In the 12 months from April 2025, 183 pro-planet people refilled containers with a range of household liquids 420 times, each occasion saving a container from ending up on the landfill waste pile.
But the City hopes more people will start using the refill station to reduce the 2.4 million tonnes of plastic waste created by Australians each year, 90 per cent of which ends up in landfill.
Located at Cockburn ARC next to the downstairs sports stadium entry, the distinctive blue Skipping Stones Refillery vending machine provides users with a $20 rebate voucher to help purchase its household liquids.
City of Cockburn Service Lead Sustainability and Climate Change Clare Courtauld said the rebate was available to Cockburn locals once four purchases had been made at the refillery.
Users upload their receipts to a Refill Reward Rebate Form available to download on the City’s website.
The rebate is available once a year to City of Cockburn residents, with proof of address required.
“Sadly plastic waste is a growing problem in our community and across the world and recycling alone is not enough to solve or improve the situation,” Ms Courtauld said.
“There are so many reason to avoid buying new products in plastic containers, when existing containers can be used over and over again.
“Australia sends 225,000 tonnes of plastic waste overseas annually, often to countries that also struggle to manage it.
“Households are the largest contributors to plastic waste in Australia. High density polyethylene, commonly used for packaging liquid soaps and detergents, makes up 32 per cent of the plastic waste stream.
“Left to breakdown in the environment, plastics leach microplastics into the environment which can be devastating for people, wildlife and habitats.”
Ms Courtauld said the City was committed to supporting the community to reduce waste with opportunities to practice sustainability and contribute to a circular economy.
“We hope more locals will take advantage of the station to refill empty containers, especially plastic bottles, with a range of Perth-made eco-conscious dish and laundry liquids, shampoo and conditioner, and body and hand wash,” she said.
“You don’t need to be an ARC member to use the refillery and we hope its central location might make it easier to keep refilling plastic containers rather than buying a new one each time and throwing the empties in the bin.
“With over 1.4 million visits a year to Cockburn ARC, we hope the refill station can be used more regularly and create a lasting impact in the reduction of plastic waste.
“While it’s challenging to estimate, if just half of Cockburn ARC’s visitors use the station to refill just one household product each year, we could divert at least half a million plastic containers from landfill.
“Now that’s something to strive for and be proud of. Go for it Cockburn!”
Find the
rebate form and more information about the Zero Waste Refill Station on the City’s website.
Caption: Clare Courtauld (City of Cockburn Service Lead Sustainability and Climate Change) operates the Zero Waste Refill Station at Cockburn ARC.