TOMRA’s Crestmead recycling centre is the first Containers for Change depot in Logan to receive its 200 millionth container to be recycled through the scheme.
In a big win for a little recycler, six-year-old Linkin has proudly returned the milestone container at 11.03am on Monday, 29 September 2025, just a few days ahead of his seventh birthday.
Linkin and his dad, Julian Thornton, have been collecting containers for years and enjoy spending quality time together while saving the 10-cent refund for Linkin and his siblings’ future bank accounts.
“Linkin loves to come down to the depot with his brother and sister and put the containers into the machines himself,” Mr Thornton said.
“The best part about collecting containers is spending time with the kids, seeing their faces and their smiles, they love being independent and doing it themselves!”
To mark the occasion, Linkin received $200 from the depot for the 200th million container. Linkin said his favourite part about collecting containers was helping the environment, saving the turtles, and getting some pocket money.
Joe Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, congratulated the team at TOMRA Crestmead for supporting Queensland’s economy.
“TOMRA’s recycling centre in Crestmead has become one of the state’s busiest depots, showing just how committed the local community is to recycling,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“Reaching 200 million containers returned is a phenomenal achievement that means less waste in landfill, cleaner streets and a stronger circular economy.
“This milestone also represents $20 million going back into the hands of Crestmead locals, community groups and charities, driving positive change across the region.”
Steve Adams, Depot Supervisor at TOMRA Recycling Centre Crestmead, said it was incredible that 200 million containers have been diverted from landfill.
“We see thousands of containers come through every day – it’s clear recycling has become second nature for the community,” Mr Adams said.
“We love seeing our regulars come in each week, sharing a smile and knowing they’re getting the most out of the scheme. And we’re not stopping here, 500 million is the next goal!”
The Containers for Change scheme has seen more than 10 billion eligible containers refunded across Queensland since launching in 2018, with almost 1 billion containers returned in Logan alone.
TOMRA’s Crestmead Recycling Centre is the second depot in south east Queensland, and the third in the state overall, to reach the 200 million container milestone, following Caboolture Container Recycling earlier this year.
Visit the Containers for Change website for more information on how to return eligible containers to earn the 10-cent refund.
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