Our
impact

21

Social enterprises operating within the scheme

The Containers for Change scheme provides opportunities for social enterprises to operate container refund points within the scheme. This gives organisations an additional avenue for income through the handling fees they are paid for each container returned to their site. In many cases it also provides local people with employment and training opportunities, strengthening and empowering local communities.

75

independent operators contracted to run CRPs in the scheme

The business opportunities provided by the establishment of Containers for Change have inspired owner operators to open container refund points in the communities they live in. This not only provides jobs for residents but also injects money into local economies, especially in regional and remote areas.

$131.1m^

Returned to customers via the CRP network

^ including the $1.6m returned to community groups and charities

During 2019–2020 Queenslanders returned 131.1 billion eligible containers to container refund points in the Containers for Change network and received $131.1 million in refunds. We’re proud to have helped Queenslanders cash in and make change.

80,000

Scheme ID sign ups during 2019–2020

A scheme ID is a unique code for Containers for Change customer accounts. In 2019–2020, 80,000 new customers signed up for a scheme ID, allowing refunds to be paid directly into their nominated bank or PayPal account. New scheme ID sign ups peaked with the launch of the Containers for Change app in March and during the COVID-19 outbreak as customers were looking for a contact-free way to cash in.

269,771

Customers registered with scheme IDs including individuals, charities, community groups and businesses from launch to June 2020

A scheme ID is a unique code for Containers for Change customer accounts. A scheme ID allows your refunds to be paid directly into your nominated bank or PayPal account. This means cashing in is convenient and contact-free.

3,564

Charities and community groups registered for scheme IDs

Charities and community groups who register for a scheme ID can provide their community with their unique code. By promoting their scheme ID to members, supporters, donors or volunteers these organisations can receive donated refunds from any container refund point in Queensland.

$1.6m

Returned to community groups and charities via scheme IDs- ($2.4m scheme to date)

Charities and community groups have found raising funds through Containers for Change is a great way to turn trash into treasure. In 2019-2020 $1.6 million dollars was deposited into the bank accounts of charities and community groups across Queensland. The scheme became a particularly important avenue for financial support when many other channels like events were cancelled due to COVID-19.

54%*

Reduction in beverage container litter

* Department of Environment and Science litter survey

When Containers for Change was launched in November 2018, beverage containers were the second most littered item found in our bushland, parks and waterways. Since then the people of Queensland have used the scheme to help change that statistic. In 2019–2020 a Department of Environment and Science litter survey showed there was a 54% reduction in beverage container litter across the state.

700

Jobs

The Containers for Change scheme has created 700 brand new jobs since launch. As our network expands, more Queenslanders are being employed at local container refund points and jobs are being found for long-term unemployed and people with disabilities. In addition, our scheme material is being used in manufacturing as part of the circular economy, helping support the growth of sustainable new industries in our state.