Recycling scheme continues to make positive change 

The success of a trial replacing public recycling bins in Beaudesert with Containers for Change baskets – known as Container Exchange Points – will see the program rolled out in Boonah and on Tamborine Mountain in coming months.  

The trial has not only resulted in cost savings for Council and more effective recycling but has also enabled members of the community to cash in on cans and bottles which are eligible for the 10-cent refund.  

Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the replacement of recycling bins in Beaudesert with free Container Exchange Points (CEPs) provided by Container Exchange (COEX) had proved a win-win for Council and the community since the commencement of the trial in December 2023.  

"Providing Container Exchange Points as an alternative to public place recycling bins has the potential to reduce Council's operating costs from $10,000 to $1,000 each year," he said.  

"As the baskets are provided free of charge by COEX, there's also potential for savings of at least $33,000 on asset replacement costs.  

"Members of the community have made the most of the opportunity to cash in on recyclable bottles and cans which are easily accessible in the container baskets."  

Prior to the three-month trial, Council had 21 recycling bins in public places across the Scenic Rim in the main streets of Beaudesert, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain.  

With low levels of use, they represented a high-cost service to the community and the recovery of recyclable material was limited by contamination from non-recyclable items which also added to Council's costs. 

CEPs facilitate container recycling by providing assets for people to donate eligible containers. Community collectors then retrieve the containers and take them to a local container refund point. 

CEPs not only allow members of the community to safely and easily retrieve bottles, cans and other eligible containers to obtain a refund, they have also helped to reduce litter and damage to Council bins.  

The CEPs will be installed in Boonah in coming weeks and on Tamborine Mountain between January and February 2025.  

Cr Sharp, who is the Scenic Rim's representative on the Council of Mayors Waste Working Group, said the expansion of the CEPs aligned with the objectives of Council's Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy 2021-2026. 

"The results of the trial to date have shown improved efficiencies in Council's operations as well as direct and indirect benefits for the community," he said.  

"We've seen an increase in the recovery of resources that might otherwise be disposed of in landfill and a reduction in contamination of recyclables that can occur through mixed kerbside recycling.  

Container Exchange CEO Natalie Roach said she was delighted to see CEPs being rolled out to new locations throughout Scenic Rim.

“Scenic Rim was one of our first Council partners and from the very beginning they’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to container recycling,” she said. 

“Container Exchange Points are the perfect container recycling solution for public spaces – they’re low cost, easy to maintain and completely serviced by community collectors. 

“They’re a great example of our commitment to innovation, community building and most of all, circularity. 

“For Councils, Container Exchange Points are the easiest way to make sure eligible containers are recycled and kept out of landfill and the natural environment.”