One of Queensland’s most avid recyclers, 84-year-old Bruce Ferguson, has returned more than 324,000 containers through Containers for Change, generating $32,000 in 10-cent refunds for the Port Douglas community.
Since December 2022, Bruce has been collecting containers weekly to raise funds for the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre, where his contributions have helped improve facilities and support local initiatives.
Armed with a Land Cruiser station wagon, its back seats removed and replaced with milk crates, Bruce has created a unique system for transporting hundreds of containers at once.
Local operator Mossman Port Douglas Sharks Recycling partners with Bruce to collect his containers every Monday morning.
Bruce said collecting containers gives him something meaningful to do each week.
“I can’t sit still, I’ve got to be doing something! It does show that if those who are a lot younger than me put in the hours doing what I do, they can earn the same and put it to good use,” Mr Ferguson said.
“It’s about keeping containers out of general waste, so they don’t go to landfill, while putting the container refunds to goodwill that allows the community to be rewarded from it all.”
Trevor Evans, interim Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, applauded Bruce’s dedication to putting his community first.
“This remarkable achievement places Bruce among Queensland’s leading individual recyclers and highlights the role we can all play in building a more sustainable future,” Mr Evans said.
“Bruce is a local legend making real change, and we look forward to celebrating his next container recycling milestone.”
Kerrie-Anne Gregory, Manager at Mossman Port Douglas Sharks Recycling said Bruce is a remarkable individual and an outstanding ambassador for Containers for Change in the Douglas Shire.
“Bruce has certainly made a difference with his generosity to the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre,” said Ms Gregory.
Eight in ten Queenslanders have recycled through Containers for Change to support local causes, reduce waste and build a more sustainable future.
Eager to be part of the change like Bruce? Find your nearest refund point here: www.containersforchange.com.au/qld.
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