Reef Recycling Townsville has been named 2026 Large Operator of the Year at the Containers for Change ‘Change Maker Awards’.
The award celebrates the people behind Reef Recycling, which has grown into Queensland’s largest drive-through container refund depot and a key part of Townsville’s recycling infrastructure.
Since Containers for Change launched in November 2018, Reef Recycling has processed almost 360 million containers, helping return millions of dollars to households, charities, schools, sporting clubs and community groups across North Queensland.
Trevor Evans, Interim CEO at Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, said Reef Recycling exemplified the important role operators play in their communities.
“Behind every one of the nearly 360 million containers recycled through Reef Recycling is a team of people are committed to helping their community recycle more and waste less,” Mr Evans said.
“This award is a credit to both those team members ensuring no container goes to waste, and the local community who have passionately recycled a record number of containers.”
Starting as a family-owned local business, Reef Recycling supports local charities and events and has created pathways into employment for young people, First Nations people and people living with disability.
“This recognition reflects the effort our team puts in every day to create a great experience for our customers and support container recycling across our region,” Heather Stratton, manager of Reef Recycling said.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together over the past eight years and grateful to the Townsville community for embracing Containers for Change.
“To process almost 360 million containers is an extraordinary milestone, but what matters most is the positive impact that has had for local schools, community groups, charities and families.”
The Large Operator of the Year award recognises excellence in areas including operational performance, customer experience, safety, innovation and community impact.
Reef Recycling was among many operators across Queensland recognised for their outstanding contribution to Containers for Change and local community at this year’s Change Maker Awards.
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