More containers are being returned through Containers for Change than ever before, smashing container volume records.
The 2025 financial year marked several achievements for Queensland’s container refund scheme, including the milestone of 10 billion containers returned and $1 billion in 10-cent refunds paid out since scheme inception.
The year was also defined by some of the most extreme weather events in the state’s history, including Tropical Cyclone Alfred and flooding in North Queensland and Western Queensland, which dampened the container recovery rate (67.1%).
COEX Chief Executive Officer acknowledged the resilience of the Containers for Change operator network in responding to the year’s unprecedented challenges.
“Closures to protect the health and safety of team members and the public, as well as flooded roads cutting off access to container refund points, have disrupted people’s container return habits,” Ms Roach said.
“Despite this, there has been healthy growth in volume across the network, reflecting Queenslanders’ ongoing commitment to recycling.”
Queensland’s container refund scheme grew 4.5% year-on-year, with the volume of containers returned at container refund points (CRPs) increasing by 3.8%.
“About 1 billion containers are still ending up as litter or landfill every year, which means Queenslanders are missing out on $100 million in 10-cent refunds,” Ms Roach said.
“COEX continues to expand its network to provide people with more accessible and convenient ways to return through Containers for Change, which leads to a more circular outcome for recyclable material.”
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