A fresh change ahead for used containers

Queenslanders are starting to get ready to embrace ‘Containers for Change’, with Queensland’s Container Refund Scheme set to come into effect in less than three months.

Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said the scheme, due to commence on November 1, would allow Queenslanders to get a 10-cent refund when they recycle drink containers.

“The new brand of Containers for Change, announced today, reflects not only the 10-cents that people will receive when they return an eligible container, but also the benefits that the scheme will deliver for Queensland’s environment, communities and charities,” Ms Enoch said.

“Nearly three billion containers are used by Queenslanders each year and they are the second most commonly littered item in our environment.

“This is disappointing, because they can be easily recycled.

“Containers for Change will give Queenslanders an incentive to collect and return used containers for recycling.

“This scheme will help improve recycling rates, reduce litter, providing a funding stream for our charities and community groups, and grow new business and employment opportunities across the state.”

Containers for Change is administered by Container Exchange (CoEx) the not-for-profit company appointed by the Queensland Government to manage the scheme.

Mr Alby Taylor, Acting Chair of Container Exchange said the company has continued to receive great business interest in operating more than 230 refund points across the state.

“Our engagement with community groups to date also had indicated that the not-for- profit sector is making a change to increase fundraising efforts through the introduction of Containers for Change donation points,” Mr Taylor said.  

“These donations points will allow Queenslanders to donate their containers to a charity, community group or school, allowing these groups to get the 10-cent refund.”

Queenslanders can choose to donate containers at designated donation points, or donate their 10-cent refund when they return their own containers to a container refund point anywhere in the state.

Containers for Change makes it easy for any charity, community organisation or school to register with the scheme and receive a unique identification number that ensures they will receive the 10-cent refund directly into their account.

Forums for community groups, schools, sporting groups and community members are being held across Queensland to provide information about how they can reap the financial benefits of the scheme to support the work they do in the community.

The forums, which are being run by CoEx and Boomerang Alliance have already attracted more than 1400 registrations in various locations across Queensland.

Boomerang Alliance Queensland Manager Toby Hutcheon said that the popularity of the forums shows that community groups are enthusiastic about participating in collecting cans and bottles.

“The feedback from the forums has been overwhelmingly positive with community organisations preparing their supporters and networks to start their collections on 1 November 2018,” Mr Hutcheon said.

‘With around three billion drinks containers eligible for a refund in Queensland, if only 10 per cent of these are given as donations to community collectors, that is $30 million going to the community sector in Queensland every year.”

Roadshow dates and locations are available on the Container Exchange website.

The Containers for Change website is now live.

Media contact: 0437 859 987