Every day, come rain, hail or shine, Paul Quarrell sets out and walks for hours on end to collect 10-cent containers and raise vital funds for kids in need.
A familiar face in the Moreton Bay local community, there isn’t a street Paul hasn’t walked or a bin he hasn’t checked to turn container recycling into brighter futures for Queensland children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability.
The funds go directly to Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland, where they deliver life-changing grants that help kids be kids.
Paul has walked thousands of kilometres through suburbs, creeks and mangroves to collect containers, shedding 50kg in the process.
Since 2020, Paul has collected more than 1.3 million containers, raising $130,000 for the meaningful cause. Last year alone, he collected more than 750,000 containers.
Now, his sights are set on collecting another million containers in just one year to donate $100,000 more to the charity.
The sheer number of empties recycled earns Paul a spot among the top super collectors not only in Queensland, but across Australia.
Paul said he usually returns 36 wheelie bins full of containers per week, lining them up on his driveway ready for local recycling operator Express Recycling to collect and process.
“It’s not that I feel like I’ve got to help, I want to help. No one asked to go through these struggles. It’s my way of giving back to society,” Mr Quarrell said.
“To see those smiles on the kids’ faces when their grants are instantly accepted because of funds raised from container recycling, you just can’t beat it.
“People have got to stop looking at just the 10-cents, they need to start looking at the big picture. It’s a cumulative thing. I think ‘yee-haw’ when I see one container, because it’s one container closer to a million.”
Natalie Roach, Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, congratulated Paul on his exceptional fundraising efforts.
“Paul’s commitment to both the environment and the wellbeing of Queensland children shows the true power of community-driven change,” Ms Roach said.
“We love to see individuals like Paul turning everyday actions into extraordinary outcomes and will be cheering him on as works towards his goal.”
Erin Lazarou, General Manager of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland, said Paul has been an extraordinary supporter of the charity.
“Not only is he out in the community week after week collecting recyclables to raise vital funds, he also takes part in our annual Variety Bash at his own expense – all to help Queensland kids who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability,” Ms Lazarou said.
“His dedication, drive and generosity are truly inspiring, and we’re so incredibly grateful for his unwavering commitment to making a difference.”
Nikki Mullen, owner at Express Recycling, said the company is proud to support Paul’s collection efforts, having built a great relationship with him over the years.
“He’s an amazing guy, he’s very passionate and we love being able to help him make a difference as he strives to collect one million containers this year for Variety,” Ms Mullen said.
Since returning from the annual Variety Bash in August, Paul has already raised almost $9,500 in less than three months. He keeps just $50 a month aside from the container refunds to cover fuel costs, donating the rest to help make a difference in the lives of children across the state.
Paul’s story is being shared during National Recycling Week 2025, a time to spotlight the role everyday Australians play in building a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Media Contact:
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e | media@containerexchange.com.au
