- Queensland’s newest Containers for Change refund point has opened in Brisbane, just in time for the scheme’s expansion next week.
- From Wednesday (1 November), all Containers for Change refund points will accept glass wine and pure spirit bottles in exchange for 10 cents per container.
- The new refund point will support 6 local jobs, adding to the more than 900 jobs the container refund scheme has supported since its introduction.
Queensland’s newest Containers for Change refund point has opened in Brisbane just in time for the scheme’s expansion to include all glass wine and pure spirit bottles from Wednesday (1 November).
The new full service, drive through depot in Windsor will enable customers to drop off their containers and have them counted by staff, with the ease and comfort of not having to leave their vehicle. For those not able to wait, a bag drop service will also be available at the site.
The new centre is expected to support 6 jobs in the local community and will add to the more than 360 refund points across already in operation across Queensland.
From Wednesday, all Queensland Containers for Change refund points will accept glass wine and pure spirit bottles in exchange for 10 cent refunds.
This Australian-first expansion of the program follows the overwhelmingly positive response from the community in support of including the additional bottles in the scheme.
Wednesday also marks the fifth anniversary of the Containers for Change scheme. In that time, more than 7.1 billion containers have been returned to refund points across Queensland. This year alone, a record 1.23 billion containers have been returned.
To ensure all Queenslanders can participate in the program, the Palaszczuk Government has worked closely with Container Exchange (COEX), who manage the Containers for Change program, to make sure industry and facilities are ready for the change.
Quotes attributable to Environment Minister, Leanne Linard:
“The opening of this new container refund point in Windsor and the nation-leading inclusion of glass wine and pure spirit bottles from Wednesday demonstrates that the Palaszczuk Government’s popular container refund scheme continues to go from strength to strength.
“In five years we’ve seen 7.1 billion containers returned for recycling and re-use and, in the process, diverting them from landfill, which is great news for our environment.
“Our decision to include glass wine and pure spirit bottles followed an extensive consultation period, during which more than 6,600 Queenslanders shared their thoughts about including additional containers in the refund program.
“98.1 per cent of participants were in favour of more containers being made eligible for refunds through the program.
“The Department of Environment and Science and Container Exchange have been actively engaging with wine manufacturers to help them prepare for the expansion. In recent weeks, I have also met with representatives from peak bodies representing wine and spirit producers and I thank them for their cooperation in implementing this important initiative.
Quotes attributable to Container Exchange CEO Natalie Roach:
“We are excited to launch our newest Containers for Change refund point in Windsor, which will support even more Queenslanders to embrace recycling and get rewarded for their efforts.
“With glass wine and pure spirit bottles eligible for refunds from 1 November, Queenslanders now have even more reasons to become change makers and share in the environmental and economic benefits of the Containers for Change scheme.
“Containers for Change also delivers significant social benefits across the state including employment for more than 930 Queenslanders. The new Windsor refund point alone has created 6 jobs.
“More than $710 million has been returned to the pockets of Queensland households since the scheme began, including almost $11 million which has been paid to charities and community groups.
“With the addition of wine and spirit bottles to Containers for Change from 1 November we look forward to welcoming even more customers to our refund points across the state so they can continue to make the change that matters.”
