Containers for Change has partnered with Sunshine Coast Council to launch an innovative trial to increase container recycling, decrease litter and benefit the local community.
The initiative in Cotton Tree Park has seen Container Exchange Points attached to 40 public bins, offering residents and visitors a convenient way to recycle eligible containers and pay it forward so others could earn 10-cent refunds.
Natalie Roach, CEO of Container Exchange said a lack of dedicated drink container bins in public places meant millions of recyclable and refundable containers were still going to waste across Queensland each year.
“This new project at Cotton Tree aims to address this challenge through the installation of Container Exchange Points on 40 public bins in the park,” Ms Roach said.
“Park goers who don’t want to hold on to their empty eligible containers for a 10-cent refund can now place them in a Containers for Change Container Exchange Point for others to collect.
“These Container Exchange Points are also great spots for community groups and charities to collect containers to help raise funds and support their important work for Sunshine Coast locals.
“This trial is just one of example of the innovative ways Container Exchange is working with local Councils across Queensland to increase container recycling and benefit both the environment and the community.”
Sunshine Coast Council Manager of Waste and Resource Management John Hogg said council was pleased to support the trial to give our community the chance to pay it forward by giving others the chance to collect the 10-cent refunds and reduce waste going to landfill.
“Forty Container Exchange Points have been attached to bins in convenient spots throughout the park.
“The trial will run until late March and, depending on the results, we will consider expanding it into other highly visited parks and outdoor spaces across the region,” Mr Hogg said.
“If an exchange point basket is full, users are encouraged to try other nearby bins.
“If these are full too, people could either take their container home to be refunded later or place it in the park’s recycling bins.”
Natalie Roach said those wishing to claim the 10-cent refunds can take the eligible containers to one of (insert number) refund points across the Sunshine Coast.
“Residents and visitors on the Sunshine Coast can find their nearest container refund point by visiting the Containers for Change website or downloading our app,” she said.
“Sunshine Coast locals have embraced Containers for Change, returning more than 487 million drink containers for 10-cent refunds since the scheme began in 2018.
“However, millions of recyclable containers still end up as waste or litter each year, representing a missed opportunity for Queenslanders to cash-in on 10-cent refunds.
“We want locals to share in the benefits of Containers for Change and add to the more than $750 million in refunds paid out to individuals, households and community groups across Queensland since the scheme began.”
Container Exchange has also unveiled an eye-catching public art mural within Cotton Tree Park to highlight container recycling through Containers for Change and promote the new Container Exchange Points to parkgoers.
For more information on local refund points and to check the eligibility of containers, please visit www.containersforchange.com.au/qld.
Media Contact:
Benjamin Mulcahy
m | 0437 370 139
e | media@containerexchange.com.au
