YOUR 10¢ CONTAINERS CAN MAKE VIK'S DREAM A REALITY

The potential in a 10¢ container is a powerful thing – whether the potential of the materials to be used again, or the potential for your refund to change a life. 

For Vik, aka Perth’s Recycle Man, the potential of 10¢ containers has brought him closer than ever to his goal of independent living. Vik lives with Down Syndrome, and he collects 10¢ containers from homes and businesses throughout the western suburbs to fund that independence.  

Every container donated to Vik though his business RecycleManPerth is one step closer to his goal of living independently: something neither he nor his family could previously have fathomed.  

Vik and his mum Sue created RecycleManPerth to give Vik a fairer go: before Containers for Change he was paid $2 an hour under an Australian Disability Enterprise, hardly enough to live the life he knew he was capable of. In looking for other ways for Vik’s strengths to shine, Sue took a tour of Paraquad Industries in Shenton Park, which also houses the Shenton Park Containers for Change refund point. 

Following the tour, Sue and Vik purchased six 60L rubbish bins and have developed RecycleManPerth from there, with businesses and residents throughout the western suburbs jumping on board to recycle their 10¢ containers via the business. 

"As a family we are astounded at Vik's development since working as RecycleManPerth,” Sue said.  

“Every 10¢ container collected means Vik has meaningful work and a reason for being part of his community. Every container collected is priceless as they translate to so much more than the 10¢ refund. 

“Vik is so much more than a stereotype; he genuinely loves being RecycleManPerth and this translates into happiness and growth in self-esteem.” 

If you’d like to help Vik achieve his goal of being independent, simply head to the RecycleManPerth website.