Container Exchange (COEX) is the not-for-profit organisation appointed by the Queensland Government to manage and grow the Containers for Change scheme.
Our purpose is to:
Our vision that ‘no container goes to waste’ reflects real commitment to a truly circular economy – one where every eligible container is recovered, recycled and reinvested into the system.
As the Product Responsibility Organisation responsible for administering the scheme, COEX’s vision is aligned with the objectives set out in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.
Queensland’s container refund scheme is 100% funded by beverage manufacturers, who take responsibility for the waste generated by their product in the form of empty drink containers.
In Queensland, beverage manufacturers pay an average fee of 13.3 cents per eligible container sold.
This fee covers the cost of the container refunds, recovering and processing containers, inbound and outbound logistics and handling fees to paid refund point operators.
Launched on 1 November 2018, the refund point network has grown to more than 400 sites spanning the length and breadth of Queensland.
Customers, including charities, schools and community groups, receive 10-cents for each eligible container returned at a Containers for Change refund point.
The scheme offers multiple container return options for consumers and businesses, including full-service depots, self-service machines, 24-hour bag drops, mobile collections, and home and business pickup services.
Containers for Change provides a clean and reliable source of materials, supporting the circular economy and remanufacturing sector in Queensland, Australia and internationally.
COEX is legally required to ensure that every eligible container returned through the scheme is recycled and does so through a network of accredited recyclers.
The scheme also recovers, where possible, containers that are put in the yellow-top bin, with the refund paid to Material Recycling Facilities.
Our Annual Reports shine a light on the people, communities and organisations making real change through the Containers for Change scheme.
Learn more about our progress, achievements and financial performance as well as our future plans.
