Container baskets have recycling in the bag  

Members of the Tamborine Mountain community will soon be able to cash in on bottles and cans eligible for the 10-cent refund with the installation early next month of Containers for Change baskets at key locations. 

Known as Container Exchange Points, the baskets that are provided free of charge by Container Exchange (COEX) will replace public recycling bins, providing cost savings for Council and a moneyspinner for members of the local community who will be able to collect the refundable recyclables. 

Division 1 Councillor Amanda Hay welcomed the addition of the Container Exchange Points which will have direct and indirect benefits for the local community. 

"These baskets have proved popular at Beaudesert and Boonah, with members of the community making the most of the opportunity to cash in on recyclable bottles and cans which are easily accessible," she said. 

"Enabling members of the community to safely and easily retrieve bottles, cans and other eligible containers to obtain a refund has also helped to reduce litter and damage to Council bins in other locations." 

Prior to the introduction of the Container Exchange Points, 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.  

Container Exchange Points help to boost container recycling by providing locations for people to donate eligible recyclables that can then be collected by others and taken to a local container refund point.  

The expansion of the Container Exchange Points aligns with the objectives of Council's Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy 2021-2026.   

"Members of the Tamborine Mountain have a demonstrated commitment to recycling," Cr Hay said.    

Container Exchange Points help to boost container recycling by providing locations for people to donate eligible beverage containers that can then be collected by others and taken to a local container refund point.  

"As we have seen elsewhere, the Container Exchange Points will encourage greater recovery of resources that might otherwise be disposed of in landfill and help to reduce the contamination of recyclables that can occur through mixed kerbside recycling,"  Cr Hay said.

COEX Chief Executive Officer Natalie Roach said the expansion of the Container Exchange Points was testament to the social, environmental and community benefits of the outdoor recycling initiative.    

“Last year there were 8.2 million beverage containers returned in the Scenic Rim Regional Council area through the Containers for Change scheme, which put more than $800,000 back into the pockets of locals,” Ms Roach said.    

“Scenic Rim Regional Council was one of the first councils in Queensland to trial the Container Exchange Points, and we're proud to partner with them to find solutions to reduce litter and channel more funds back into the community.”