Queensland is now the first state in Australia to accept glass wine and spirit bottles for 10-cent refunds in its container refund scheme – Containers for Change.
Container Exchange CEO Natalie Roach today visited one of the state’s newest container refund points at Baringa, on the Sunshine Coast and said Queenslanders will now receive 10 cents for every glass wine and spirit bottle they return via more than 360 container refund points found across Queensland.
“From today Containers for Change is offering even more opportunities to create value for individuals, community groups, and charities,” Ms Roach said.
“With wine and spirit bottles now part of the range of Containers for Change, we are making it even simpler for Queenslanders to know which drink containers are eligible for a 10-cent refund.
“We are looking forward to returning even more cash back to Queenslanders whilst saving even more valuable recyclable material from ending up as litter or in landfill.”
Natalie Roach said the container refund scheme has had a significant impact on recovery and recycling rates.
“Today also marks five years since Containers for Change launched in Queensland, and in that time we have reached a truly remarkable milestone of more than 7.1 billion containers recycled through the scheme,” she said.
“That is 7.1 billion containers that did not end up as litter or landfill.
“In addition to environmental benefits, Containers for Change has also delivered positive social and economic impacts, with more than $710 million returned to the pockets of Queenslanders since the scheme began, including almost $11 million which has been paid to charities and community groups.
“The scheme has also supported more than 935 jobs across Queensland, with many of these in regional areas, supporting local economies such as here in this fast-growing part of the Sunshine Coast.”
Containers for Change customers are being advised that eligible glass wine and pure spirit containers (150ml up to 3L) returned via the scheme will still receive a 10-cent refund from today, whether the label includes a refund mark or not. With some wines and spirits having a longer shelf life than other drink products, manufacturers will be given until 1 January 2027 to display the 10-cent refund mark on their product labels.
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Learn more about Containers for Change here: www.containersforchange.com.au/qld
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Media Contact:
Benjamin Mulcahy
m | 0437 370 139
e | media@containerexchange.com.au
w | containerexchange.com.au
