Queensland Country Bank Stadium (QCBS) celebrated a major recycling milestone at the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NRL and NRLW home double header on Saturday – 1 million containers returned through Containers for Change.
QCBS has achieved one of the highest recovery rates for containers sold at Stadiums Queensland venues by integrating dedicated container recycling bins across its public, corporate and back-of-house areas.
To celebrate the milestone, lucky recycler Karly, a mum of five, took home a special spot prize for recycling her drink container; four Cowboys v Knights tickets, a Cowboys 2025 team-signed football and the iconic Townsville Monopoly board game.
Natalie Roach, Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, said Townsville was home to some of the state’s top recyclers.
“Queensland Country Bank Stadium has done an incredible job making sure it’s easy for patrons and staff to recycle their empties through Containers for Change,” she said.
“Instead of ending up as litter or landfill, these 10-cent containers have been given a second life and helped raised funds for important causes including supporting flood victims in North Queensland and the Cowboys charity.”
More than 88 million containers were returned through the Containers for Change program in Townsville last year, delivering $8.8 million in 10-cent refunds back into the local community.
“We’re extremely pleased to have helped keep more than 1,000,000 plastic and aluminium drink containers out of landfill and it’s even more pleasing to know our patrons are adopting healthy recycling habits,” said QCBS General Manager Cameron Jones.
“Queensland Country Bank Stadium is committed to operating in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way to reduce carbon emissions and to play an active role in supporting and enhancing the local community.
“Containers for Change is one of our programs helping us to achieve that, all the while delivering wonderful hospitality and experiences at our venue.”
This season, all 10-cent container refunds collected at Cowboys home games support the Cowboys Foundation’s charity programs, making a real difference in the local community.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Queensland Country Bank Stadium and Cowboys members and fans for getting behind this initiative; it truly makes a huge difference to the environment and to our life-changing community programs,” said Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling.
“So far this season we’ve been averaging around 20,000 containers recycled at each home game, that’s around one per person which has generated more than $15,000 to support our charity.
“It’s great to see our Cowboys community making positive environmental choices and if we can recycle every single eligible container used at games, just imagine the huge difference we will make together.”
Media contact:
m: 0408 915 422
e: media@containerexchange.com.au
