WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION – CONTAINER REFUND SCHEMES
Two years of change ON THE EVE OF CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE’S SECOND BIRTHDAY, KEN NOYE, CONTAINER EXCHANGE CEO, LOOKS BACK ON THE SCHEME’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND SHARES WHAT’S NEXT FOR THIS RECYCLING SUCCESS STORY.
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n November this year, Queensland’s Containers for Change will celebrate its second year in operation. Launched in a bi-partisan effort to tackle high levels of beverage container litter and low recycling rates, the container refund scheme (CRS) has seen over 2.65 billion returns across more than 300 refund collection points. Before the scheme’s commencement, kerbside recycling was offered by only 31 of Queensland’s 77 council areas. As such, Key Noye, Container Exchange (COEX) CEO, explains that
containers previously had a greater chance of ending up in landfill or litter, than being recycled. “The introduction of the Containers for Change scheme gave around 45 local government areas access to recycling for the first time,” he says. The CRS, which is run by COEX, has a daily collection average of 4.3 million containers. As a result of the Queensland community’s enthusiastic uptake, the state has seen a 54 per cent decrease in beverage container litter since the scheme’s launch. While these numbers are significant, for Noye, it’s
Cooktown Lions Club has successfully raised funds for their community through Containers for Change.
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the scheme’s community and social benefits that are most noteworthy. Noye highlights Central Queensland Pet Rescue, which through a band of volunteers collecting containers in the Central Highlands region, has raised almost $30,000 to fund their work. He also notes Oshan, a young boy from Cairns, who by collecting containers with his father, has saved up enough money to buy a brand-new motocross bike. “In doing so he’s learnt about recycling, the importance of commitment, having a target and the value of 10 cents and turning that into a dollar,” Noye says. “An 11-year-old, Flynn Emerson, has been collecting containers in the town of Gympie and donating the refunds to support children in palliative care. “These are just some of the many examples of Containers for Change’s positive social impact.” Opportunities for individuals, communities and social enterprises to benefit from the scheme is built into its design, Noye says. He adds that since Containers for Change began, 700 new jobs have been created across the state, many in rural and regional economies. Furthermore, as of July 31 this year, more than $204 million has gone back into the pockets of Queensland customers, community groups and charities. In Northern Queensland’s Ayr, a
