Birdsville’s biggest event in years will have a positive impact on the environment thanks to Queensland’s container refund scheme.
The Containers for Change scheme provides a 10-cent refund to customers returning eligible beverage containers at any registered point across Queensland.
The Big Red Bash is one of the largest events to return to the Diamantina since 2019 with the sold out two-day festival boasting headliners Jimmy Barnes and Missy Higgins.
The sold out event is considered the world’s most remote music festival and attracts around 10,000 visitors of all ages to the historic town with a regular population of around 140.
With thousands of guests expected to visit into the iconic Queensland town, it is expected the music lovers will consume tens of thousands of drinks during their stay which will be whisked away by Containers for Change Birdsville.
New Containers for Change Birdsville operator Jenna Brook will be collecting all the eligible drink containers including water bottles, canned alcoholic beverages and soft drinks consumed at the festival grounds to ensure the Simpson desert stays free of litter.
Festival-goers can feel confident that every eligible drink container they put in the bins provided at the festival grounds will be saved from landfill and recycled thanks to the new local refund point.
Nearly two tonnes of aluminium cans were consumed at the last Big Red Bash in 2019, and operator Jenna Brook estimates she could be collecting even more recyclable material this year.
Those visiting the town for the Big Red Bash can also visit Containers for Change Birdsville to refund their road trip drinks for cash or donate eligible drink containers to a charity or community group of their choice.
Containers for Change Birdsville is believed to be one of the most remote container refund points in the world and has refunded over 70,000 containers to be recycled since opening in late March this year.
Virginie Marley, acting CEO of COEX the non-for-profit that runs the container refund scheme, says the Big Red Bash is just one of a number of events the scheme is working with.
“As Queensland has opened up we have been proud to team up with music festivals and events of all sizes to help them make a positive impact on the environment.”
“We are committed to growing access to the scheme in regional areas – with more than 350 refund points there are local options for container refunds even in Birdsville which is one of the most remote refund points in the world.”
“The Big Red Bash is being held in one of Queensland’s most unique environments, the Simpson desert, and we are proud to help keep this site clean with removal of containers to prevent litter,” she said.
For more information on containers eligible for refunds and refund point locations visit the Containers for Change website.
Media contact:
m: 0408 915 422
e: media@containerexchange.com.au
