Queensland Parliament has joined Containers for Change, with dedicated container return bins installed across the Parliament House precinct, making it easier for Members, staff and visitors to recycle eligible drink containers and support Queenslanders in need.
As its inaugural charity partner, Parliament House has nominated OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, to receive the 10-cent refunds from eligible containers collected through the program.
The initiative was officially launched today by the Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, The Honourable Pat Weir MP, Member for Condamine, who donated the first container into one of the newly installed collection bins.
Every eligible container returned through the scheme will help reduce waste, increase recycling and generate funds for OzHarvest, with every 10 containers returned helping deliver two meals to Australians experiencing food insecurity.
Trevor Evans, CEO of Container Exchange (COEX), the not-for-profit that runs Containers for Change, said Queensland Parliament was demonstrating how simple actions could help capture eligible containers consumed at workplaces and out-of-home locations.
“We hope this initiative encourages more workplaces and organisations across Queensland to consider how they can participate in the scheme and create meaningful environmental, social and economic benefits for Queenslanders,” Mr Evans said.
Mr Weir said the initiative provided an opportunity for Parliament to make a practical contribution to Queensland communities.
“We are delighted to support OzHarvest through this Containers for Change initiative, which will provide a simple way for Members, staff and visitors at Parliament House to make a positive impact on food rescue efforts. The Parliamentary Service have proudly partnered with OzHarvest since 2016, we are delighted to expand our long-standing support through this initiative,” Mr Weir said.
Michaela Windsor, OzHarvest Queensland State Manager, said the charity was thrilled to see Queensland Parliament support Containers for Change, with the 10-cent refund flowing directly to feeding Queenslanders experiencing food insecurity.
“It’s a small but mighty way to nourish our country. Every container refund Parliament House captures will go straight towards supporting the more than 300 charities OzHarvest nourishes across Queensland from the Gold Coast to up to Cairns,” Ms Windsor said.
Nikki Mullen, Manager at Express Recycling, the operator appointed to service Queensland Parliament, said the initiative demonstrated how workplaces of all sizes could benefit from participating in Containers for Change.
“It’s great to see Queensland Parliament join the many workplaces we work with to collect containers, demonstrating how everyday recycling can reduce waste while generating valuable support for charities and community organisations,” Ms Mullen said.
Since launching in 2018, Queenslanders have returned more than 12.3 billion containers through Containers for Change, generating over $1.2 billion in refunds for households, charities and community groups while helping reduce litter and increase recycling across the state.
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