New monthly record for container refund scheme

• More than 175 million containers were returned through the Containers for Change scheme in January, surpassing the previous monthly record of 157.5 million achieved in January 2023.
• An important contributor to the record was a 13.5 per cent increase in the number of glass containers received, following the expansion of the scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles on November 1, 2023
• Since Containers for Change started in November 2018, more than 7.75 billion containers have been received, with more than $775 million refunded to Queenslanders.

The Miles Government’s hugely successful Containers for Change Scheme set a new monthly record in January, with 175,805,461 containers returned for a refund and recycling.

The number of containers returned during the month surpassed the previous, set in January 2023, of 157,525,681 containers.

An important contributor to this result was a 13.5 per cent increase in the number of glass containers returned. This follows the government’s nation-leading expansion of the container refund scheme in November 2023 to include glass wine and spirit bottles.

Since 1 November 2023, the average number of glass containers being returned each day is around 1.235 million.

Since Containers for Change started in November 2018, more than 7.8 billion containers have been returned for refund and recycling. This has seen more than $780 million returned to Queenslanders’ pockets at a time when they need it most. More than $12 million has been paid to charities and community groups.

Quotes attributable to Environment Minister, Leanne Linard:

“Queenslanders deserve a hearty pat-on-the-back for this fantastic effort.

“They have smashed the previous monthly record by more than 18.2 million containers.

“This is yet another demonstration that our Containers for Change scheme is going from strength to strength.

“Before the launch of the Containers for Change scheme, only 18 per cent of drink containers were being recovered and recycled in Queensland. The current rate is now almost 64 per cent.

“The Miles Government is determined to see that rate rise even further.

“I will continue to work closely with Container Exchange, the not-for-profit company appointed to run the scheme, on new, fresh ideas to further increase the rate of container recycling.

“Our government is determined to build a circular economy where materials are reused, recycled or re-manufactured more, and less waste is produced in the first place.

“Implementing a circular economy is great for our iconic Queensland environment and great for the economy.

“We know that for every 1 job in landfill, there are three jobs in recycling and re-manufacturing.”

Quotes attributable to Container Exchange CEO, Natalie Roach:

“Containers for Change has just had its biggest month ever this January, and now we want to see even more households, families, charities, and community groups sharing in the benefits the scheme delivers.

“Since Containers for Change launched in 2018, we’ve seen more than 7.8 billion drink containers returned via our refund points across the state for recycling.

“At a time when many are facing cost of living pressures, Containers for Change has returned more than $780 million to Queenslanders’ back pockets.

“This includes almost $12 million paid to charities and community groups, which is so important when those groups are facing fewer donations and increased costs like everyone else. 

“Containers for Change has also supported more than 935 jobs across Queensland, with many of these in regional areas, benefiting the local economy.

“Customers can download the Containers for Change app to keep track of their refunds and select their preferred container refund point from depots, 24-hour bag drops, self-serve reverse vending machine kiosks and free home collection.”

Further information:

Audio of Minister Linard speaking about the record in State Parliament is available for download here.

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339