A New Farm apartment building has donated more than $2,000 to local charity 3rd Space through Containers for Change.
Since January 2025, residents at Cook Apartments have been collecting eligible containers to support the Brisbane-based organisation, helping provide meals, hot showers and access to vital services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Local operator Community Co Recycling collects the containers directly from the building every two weeks, processing them at nearby depots in Windsor and Albion.
Through the initiative, the 46-unit building has recycled more than 20,000 containers, diverting valuable materials from landfill while generating vital funds for 3rd Space’s essential services.
Dr Michael Williams, Chair of the Cook Apartments Body Corporate committee, said the collection service had made participating in Containers for Change simple and convenient for residents.
“Residents drop their containers into a small bin next to our recycling bins rather than taking them to a Containers for Change depot,” Dr Williams said.
The collected containers are transferred into reusable bags provided by Community Co Recycling, ready for pick-up and processing.
“Being able to use our recycled containers to provide a regular donation creates a great relationship between 3rd Space and our building community. We’d encourage other buildings to follow suit.”
Doogan O’Hanlon, Managing Director of Community Co Recycling, said Containers for Change is ideal for body corporates looking to make a positive difference for their community and the environment.
“The container collection model is an easy and practical solution for apartment buildings that want to be part of Containers for Change,” Mr O’Hanlon said.
“We’ve been really pleased with how smoothly the Cook Apartments service has run, and we’d love to see more buildings in the area take it up.”
Damian Nikolov, Manager of Acquisition at Container Exchange, the not-for-profit that runs Containers for Change, commended the initiative.
“It’s fantastic to see Community Co Recycling partner with Cook Apartments to make container recycling so easy and impactful for residents,” Mr Nikolov said.
Matthew Kearney, Chief Executive Officer of 3rd Space, said container recycling was an excellent way for people to support a whole range of social initiatives like 3rd Space.
“Every 10-cent refund donated makes a real difference for the people we support, enabling us to provide access to food and a safe place for those in need,” Mr Kearney said.
“We are thankful to Cook Apartments residents for giving back in this way. It’s a great example of looking after the local community and the environment, and we hope this inspires other buildings to do the same.”
Container collections play an important role in extending the reach of Containers for Change, while also providing an avenue for residential homes, apartment buildings and local businesses to support charities, community groups and not-for-profits.
Body corporates interested in setting up a similar arrangement to Cook Apartments can join the Containers for Change Partner Program.
For more information, visit: https://partners.containersforchange.com.au/
Media Contact:
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