Eight billion containers returned through Queensland refund scheme

Eight billion drink containers have been returned through the Queensland Containers for Change refund scheme.

Environment Minister Leanne Linard and Container Exchange Chief Executive Officer Natalie Roach celebrated the latest milestone on 23 March at the Community Co Recycling Depot in Windsor on Brisbane’s northside.

The Containers for Change scheme was launched in November 2018 and provides 10-cent refunds for eligible drink containers.

The scheme has continued to grow from strength to strength. It has taken just six months to reach this latest milestone, after the seven billionth container was returned in September 2023.

A record 175,805,461 containers were returned in January 2024, surpassing the previous record of 157.5 million achieved in January 2023.

In an Australian-first, the Queensland containers refund scheme was expanded in November 2023 to allow glass wine and spirit bottles to the returned. Since then, the scheme has recorded a 13.5 per cent increase in the quantity of glass bottles being returned.

“I am advised that eight billion containers equate to 400,000 tonnes of waste and if the containers were laid end to end, they would wrap around Earth’s equator 35 times,” Linard said.

“This is a phenomenal amount of waste that has been diverted from landfill and instead recycled and reused thanks to our Containers for Change scheme. This is great news for our unique natural environment. It’s also great news for Queenslanders who have shared in $800 million in refunds through the scheme.”

Linard said the government is working with the scheme board and Roach on new ideas to further increase the rate of container recycling.

Roach, said the success of the Queensland containers refund scheme has had a significant impact on the environment.

“Importantly, Containers for Change has now returned $800 million to the pockets of Queenslanders, which is making a real difference in communities right across the state,” Roach said.

“With Containers for Change now including glass wine and spirit bottles, more and more Queenslanders are taking part. In fact, this past summer we have seen record container volumes returned, further underscoring the positive impact of Containers for Change.”

Customers can download the Containers for Change app to keep track of their refunds and select their preferred container refund point from depots, 24-hour bag drops, self-serve reverse vending machine kiosks and free home collection.

For more information, visit www.containersforchange.com.au/qld.