Container refund scheme breaks 400 million mark

Queensland’s container refund scheme, Containers for Change, continues to exceed expectations, with figures showing more than 400 million containers have now been returned across Queensland since the scheme started.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said with more than 400 million containers now returned in just over five months, refunds of more than $40 million had now been returned to Queenslanders and community organisations.

“It is fantastic to see so many Queenslanders embracing this recycling initiative,” Ms Enoch said.

“Container redemption volumes are about a third higher than forecast, and Containers for Change continues to defy expectations.

“The scheme has also created more than 620 jobs across Queensland, which is fantastic.”

Containers for Change provides a 10-cent refund for recycling cans and bottles.

“It provides a financial incentive to recycling containers, and there is also the option for people to donate their refunds to charities and community organisations,” Minister Enoch said.

“It is also a win for the environment, as it means less containers are ending up in our waterways.

“Queenslanders used to use nearly three billion containers every year and sadly they are the second most commonly littered item in the environment, despite the fact they can be easily recycled.

“Businesses are also seeing the great economic opportunities this scheme presents. More refund points are becoming established, creating more business opportunities and making the scheme more accessible for Queenslanders.”

Ken Noye, CEO of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit that runs the scheme, said there were also more refund points statewide.

“When we first launched we had more than 230 container refund points statewide, but with a lot of hard work behind the scenes, that’s now grown to 270,” he said.

“We’re now seeing things settle down at most depots and bag drop-off points due to a steady increase in the number of container refund points around the state.”

In April, COEX has seven new depots scheduled to open at Hervey Bay, Atherton, Bribie Island, Cooroy, Yamanto, Airlie Beach and Beaudesert.

For more information visit www.containersforchange.com.au or phone 13 42 42.

Media contact: 0437 859 987

Regional breakdown:

• Greater Brisbane: 174.2 million
• Gold Coast: 36.8 million
• Sunshine Coast: 19.9 million
• South East (including Ipswich): 3.5 million
• Darling Downs: 28 million
• Wide Bay: 35.9 million
• Fitzroy/Central Queensland: 30.6 million
• Mackay: 11.9 million
• Townsville/North Queensland: 33.3 million
• Cairns/Far North Queensland: 26.5 million
• South West: 5.9 million

TOTAL: 406.5 million