PRESS RELEASE: FREE YOUR DRINK CONTAINERS THIS FESTIVE SEASON – THE BIGGEST TIP OF THE YEAR COULD TAKE THE TINIEST EFFORT
23 October 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
FREE YOUR DRINK CONTAINERS THIS FESTIVE SEASON – THE BIGGEST TIP OF THE YEAR COULD TAKE THE TINIEST EFFORT
Setting your drink containers free by placing them loose into your recycling bin will not only help to keep Queensland beautiful this summer but will potentially prevent more than 1 billion containers going to landfill.
This Saturday, 23 October 2021, Containers for Change launch a campaign to educate Queenslanders about recycling drink containers the right way in the hope of making a big impact as we head into the festive season.
Containers for Change Queensland spokesperson Adam Nicholson said, “Second to returning your containers to a Containers for Change refund point depot to cash in, this hot tip will help reduce contamination in kerbside recycling bins, and also help to recover more eligible containers for recycling”, Adam said.
“Queenslanders have done amazing work to do the right thing when it comes to recycling, however it’s little changes like this that can make such a huge difference to recycling.”
“As we head into Christmas and end-of-year parties and celebrations, we want to make sure that our eligible empties are going into be recycled the right way at the end of all the fun”, said Adam.
“And let’s not forget that returning these empties to a Containers for Change refund point will put a little extra cash in your pocket this Christmas”.
Currently Queenslanders use more than 3 billion drink containers each year – that’s an average of at least 1.5 containers per person per day. Although 2 billion of these are collected and refunded each year through general recycling and the Containers for Change scheme, 1 billion containers are still going to general waste or being disposed of incorrectly in kerbside recycling bins.
“This festive season if just one household per street makes this small change of setting their containers free in their recycling bin, we can significantly increase the number of containers able to be recycled,” Adam said.
“We estimate that close to 250 million containers are going into residential waste bins Queensland-wide. In Brisbane alone that’s almost 80 million containers that could be retrieved from residential waste or recycling bins,” said Adam.
To view the latest Queensland Containers for Change campaign visit https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/setthemfree
ENDS Media Contact: [email protected] or tel:07 3041 3290
ABOUT CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE
Containers for Change is Queensland’s Container refund scheme introduced in 2018 to help encourage Queenslanders to recycle their used drink containers while also creating job opportunities and supporting communities. The Containers for Change scheme is all about reducing litter and increasing Queensland’s recycling rates. The scheme aims to incentivise recycling by offering a 10-cent refund for every eligible beverage container returned to the authorised container refund points (CRPs) across Queensland. Container Exchange (COEX) is a not-for-profit organisation created to establish and run the Containers for Change scheme in Queensland. To find out more visit www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/
FAST FACTS
What happens to containers once they are returned to kerbside recycling bins?
Drink containers that are placed into council kerbside recycling bins end up at material recovering facilities (MRFs) for recycling. Container Exchange (COEX) then pay MRFs the refund amount on the eligible containers they collect. MRFs and local councils share the proceeds from the eligible containers collected from council kerbside recycling bins.
Which containers are NOT eligible for a refund?
All containers smaller than 150ml and bigger than 3L are not eligible for a refund. Other ineligible containers include:
– Plain milk containers
– Glass containers which have contained wine or pure spirits
– Large containers (1L or more) which have contained flavoured milk, pure juice, cask wine or cask water
– Cordial or vegetable juice containers
– Wine sachets above 250ml
– And registered health tonics.
For the full list visit List of eligible beverage containers for the Queensland Container Refund Scheme (as at 1 June 2018) (www.qld.gov.au)
When did Containers for Change Queensland start?
The scheme launched in Queensland on 1 November 2018, now with more than 320 container refund points in operation across the state.
How does the scheme work?
Queenslanders can return eligible drink containers via a container refund point. Container refund points have been established across Queensland to collect eligible empty containers in exchange for the payment of a 10c refund.
For Queenslanders who prefer to donate their drink container to a community group, sports club or another organisation, container return points can direct the 10c refund payment to a registered group through their scheme ID. In addition, some groups will run their own container donation points at which the refund payment will be retained by them.
For more information click here or email [email protected]
For more FAQs
Visit Help | Containers for Change
