Mickey the rescue New Zealand Fur Seal has returned Sea World’s 500,000th container through Containers for Change.
All eligible containers recovered at the Gold Coast theme park since 2022 have generated $50,000 in 10-cent refunds for the Sea World Foundation.
The Sea World Foundation supports critical research, rescue and conservation projects to protect marine wildlife, with funds from initiatives like Containers for Change contributing to long-term outcomes for ocean health.
With 50 Containers for Change bins located across Sea World, Queenslanders are encouraged to return their bottles and cans during their visit to keep those containers out of the oceans where they can harm marine life.
Trevor Evans, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit that runs Containers for Change, said the milestone was a strong reflection of Sea World’s ongoing commitment to conservation.
“This is a fantastic achievement for Sea World and a great example of how they continue to lead in protecting marine life,” Mr Evans said.
“Their work through the Sea World Foundation, combined with the efforts of visitors returning their bottles and cans, is making a real difference both in and beyond the park.
“Working with partners like Sea World helps bring the circular economy to life, showing how everyday recycling can support real environmental, social and economic outcomes. We’re excited to keep building on partnerships like this to make an even bigger difference for Queensland.”
Wayne Phillips, Head of Marine Sciences at the Sea World Foundation, said it is an incredible achievement to reach the 500,000 milestone with each container returned directly helping protect and conserve the marine environment.
“We were thrilled to partner with Containers for Change and join them in their mission to reduce container litter and increase community recycling efforts, and it an amazing milestone to reach 500,000 containers returned at Sea World,” Mr Phillips said.
“Sadly, at Sea World Foundation, we see first-hand the damage plastic pollution and debris are doing to marine wildlife, but thanks to the wonderful partnership with Containers for Change, the 500,000 containers returned has helped directly fund our rescue efforts to save marine animals such as whales, dolphins, dugongs, seals, sharks, sea turtles and seabirds.
“Through our partnership, we educate over a million people every year through the Seal Guardians presentation, and we thought it was only fitting for Mickey to do the honour of returning the 500,000th container.”
Containers for Change is one of Australia’s most successful recycling schemes, with hundreds of refund points delivering environmental, social and economic benefits across Queensland.
Queenslanders can donate their container refunds directly to the Sea World Foundation by using the member number C10601693.
Media Contact:
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e | media@containerexchange.com.au
