Western Australia's peak environment group has today highlighted how local charities and community organisations would benefit from the introduction of a 10 cent recycling refund scheme for beverage containers.

Speaking at the annual conference of the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations, Conservation Council of WA Director Piers Verstegen said that the environmental benefits of recycling are matched by the benefits to community and charity groups when they can become part of the action.

Mr Verstegen said, "Through their networks of op-shops, charitable recycling organisations are already providing a great environmental service by reducing waste to landfill and helping to reduce consumption of raw materials and packaging."

Mr. Verstegen congratulated recyclers like Vinnies, Salvos and Anglicare for their recycling efforts, which he said were delivering both an environmental and a social dividend.

Mr Verstegen said, "Their excellent example shows that when discarded items have a value, charitable recyclers can engage in a sustainable community enterprise that generates income for those in need. Unfortunately, many of our discarded items do not currently have a value, but that could easily change through the introduction of recycling refunds and other proven recycling policies in WA.

"Western Australia has the lowest rate of recycling in Australia, which is a massive environmental liability. With the right policies in place, this could be turned into a massive opportunity for charitable organisations.

"The South Australian 10 cent beverage container refund has not only delivered the highest recycling rates in the country, but, by running a network of recycling hubs, the state's Scouts are able to earn around $2 million every year. This means they have among the best funded programs in country, which results in numerous flow-on benefits for society.

"In addition to centralised depots, hundreds of sporting clubs and other community groups in South Australia generate fundraising income by engaging their members and local community to collect and donate cans and bottles for recycling.

"We have been talking about introducing a recycling refund scheme in WA for far too long. Now is the time to follow the lead of South Australia and the Northern Territory and establish recycling policies in WA that help the environment and provide much needed funding to the local organisations at the heart of our communities."