After four weeks Queensland has celebrated 100 million returned containers from its popular Container Refund Scheme.
The Containers for Change program has already seen around $10 million returned to Queenslanders, community groups and charities with over 70,000 people registered with the scheme.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said the milestone shows just how well-received the scheme has been and the benefits it’s having for Queenslanders and the environment.
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“This is a mammoth collective achievement with great participation from those who have returned containers and those who are running the scheme,” Minister Enoch said.
“It is fantastic to see the number of Queenslanders embracing the new recycling initiative and choosing to be a part of the positive change.”
Thousands of Queenslanders, community groups, charities, sporting clubs and schools are participating in the program, which aims to expand site numbers and capacity this year.
The boost in recycling numbers has also bolstered the Queensland job market, adding over 500 jobs throughout the state from the establishment of new refund points in over 230 locations.
Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange (COEX) Ken Noye said the non-for-profit is excited to grow in 2019 and expand their network of Container Refund Points, provide more jobs and refund more containers.
“The scheme has already seen over 102 million containers returned and over 500 new jobs provided in under two months,” Mr Noye said.