An iconic Moreton Bay venue and holiday destination have recycled more than half a million beverage containers through Containers for Change and invested the 10-cent refund into further reducing their environmental footprint.
Visitors at the Sandstone Point Hotel and Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, which are both owned by Comiskey Group, will be familiar with the bright green container collection bins across the Oyster Shed, hotel grounds and holiday resort.
The integration of the bins back-of-house in the bars, kitchens, staff rooms and offices have also helped make recycling easy for staff and led to more than 512,000 beverage containers being saved from landfill.
Sandstone Point Hotel General Manager Liam Bailey said the venues reinvested the more than $50,000 in returns from the 10-cent refunds into employing additional cleaning staff on major event days to ensure every eligible container, and all other recyclable materials, are properly separated.
“This proactive approach has resulted in a container capture rate of over 90 per cent, meaning that for every 100 cans sold, fewer than 10 end up in landfill,” Mr Bailey said.
“This system reflects the hotel’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership in the region.
“With stunning views over the pristine Pumicestone Passage and a location just across from one of Queensland’s natural gems, Bribie Island, protecting our environment is something we take seriously.”
Natalie Roach, the Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, said the Australian-first inclusion of glass wine and spirit containers has made it easier for hospitality venues across Queensland to participate in the container refund scheme.
“The scheme expansion in November 2023 has allowed hospitality venues who sell glass wine and spirits to claim more 10-cent refunds that can be reinvested into their business to achieve their sustainability goals,” Ms Roach said.
“Businesses like Comiskey Group that have integrated container recycling into their waste collection systems are creating a culture that truly embodies the environmental, social and economic values of the scheme.”
Comiskey Group has been a consistently high-performing hospitality collector since joining the Containers for Change scheme in 2022, collecting over 1.4 million containers across five venues.
“The response from both staff and patrons has been really positive. Our team is proud to be part of a workplace that values sustainability and actively takes steps to reduce waste,” Mr Bailey said.
“It’s become second nature for them to use the Containers for Change bins in back-of-house areas and help encourage the same behaviour throughout the venue.
“For us, it’s not just about keeping the venue clean—it’s about contributing to a wider movement that supports our community and protects the natural beauty that surrounds us.”
Media contact:
m: 0408 915 422
e: media@containerexchange.com.au
