Council trials public exchange points to boost container recycling

Scenic Rim Mayor Cr Greg Christensen tries out one of Council and Container Exchange's new Containers for Change baskets.

Scenic Rim Regional Council has partnered with Container Exchange to launch a new pilot project aimed at boosting container recycling in the region.  

Since 2018, Scenic Rim residents have recycled more than 38,500,000 drink containers generated from their homes and community groups through the Queensland Government’s Containers for Change initiative. 

However, due to a lack of drink container bins in public places, millions of recyclable containers are still going to waste across Queensland each year.  

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said Council’s new project would aim to address this challenge through the installation of Containers for Change baskets on eight public bins across the region.  

“Instead of disposing of an empty eligible container in a bin destined for landfill, residents and visitors can now place it in a Containers for Change basket,” he said.  

“The container can then be collected by another community member and returned to a nearby Containers for Change facility for the 10-cent refund, benefiting both the environment and the community.” 

Cr Christensen said Containers for Change baskets had been successfully trialled in other parts of Australia. 

“We are excited to do our bit to continue the war on waste and help reduce unnecessary waste to landfill, while providing safe collection points for committed recyclers.” 

Container Exchange CEO Natalie Roach said more than 7.5 billion containers have been returned for recycling since Containers for Change began in November 2018. 

“Queenslanders have embraced Containers for Change, but we know each year millions of recyclable containers are still going to waste across Queensland,” Ms Roach said. 

“Everyone one of those containers ending up in waste bins not only has an environmental impact but is also hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of 10-cent refunds ending up in landfill. 

“A key driver of containers going to landfill is a lack of container collection bins in public spaces, which is why we are so excited to partner with Scenic Rim Regional Council for this trial. 

“We want locals to share in the benefits of Containers for Change and add to the more than $750 million in refunds paid out to individuals, households and community groups since the scheme began.” 

Eligible drink containers can be returned for 10-cent refunds at Containers for Change locations in Beaudesert, Canungra, Tamborine Mountain, and Boonah.  

For more information, visit www.containersforchange.com.au/qld  

Supplied image: Scenic Rim Mayor Cr Greg Christensen tries out one of Council and Container Exchange's new Containers for Change baskets.