Ipswich is set to hit a significant recycling milestone with the 150 millionth container to be returned through the Containers for Change scheme.
When that container drops into one of the four Ipswich Container Refund Points, it will mean local residents have claimed $15 million in refunds since the scheme began just over two years ago.
The Containers for Change scheme offers a 10 cent refund for every eligible drink container returned at a registered refund point in Queensland.
The scheme has accepted more than three billion containers through refund points and Material Recovery Facilities across the state, culminating in a 54 per cent decrease in beverage container litter in the environment.
The City of Ipswich has contributed to that huge benefit to the environment, with container returns growing from 59 million in 2019 to 85 million in 2020 – despite the onset of COVID restrictions.
That equates to residents producing the impressive figure of 44 per cent year-on-year growth in their container recycling habits.
Ken Noye is the chief executive of Containers Exchange, the not for profit organisation that administers the Containers for Change scheme.
He said continual improvement in Queensland’s recycling habits such as the one produced by Ipswich needed to continue as the state chased an ambitious target.
“A target has been set to recycle 85 per cent of all beverage containers sold in Queensland by July 2022,” he said.
“Ipswich has demonstrated the level of change that can be made by ensuring your containers are disposed of in one of two ways – either at a refund point for a 10 cent refund, or in your council-provided yellow-top bin.
“All Queenslanders need to get behind the target and play their part in keeping the environment clear of beverage container litter.”
Community groups and charities can also easily get involved in fundraising through the scheme.
Groups can apply for their own unique Scheme ID through the Containers for Change app or website, which their supporters can then quote when returning containers and channel their refund to the organisation of choice.
Containers for Change refund points are located at the following Ipswich locations:
- Beveridge Container Recycling – 33 Belar Street, Yamanto.
- Return-It – Salvos – 12 Coal Street, Bundamba.
- Return-It – 229 Brisbane Road, Goodna.
- Tomra Recycling Centre – 355 Brisbane Street, West Ipswich.
For more information about Containers for Change visit www.containersforchange.com.au/qld
