Cash in for environment

TOWNSVILLE container refund operators are bracing for a busy start to the new scheme with residents expected to have stockpiled bottles and cans in recent months.

The State Government’s refund scheme, “Containers for Change” will start on November 1.

Queenslanders will be able to get a 10¢ refund for any eligible cans, glass or plastic bottle cleaned and returned to a registered recycling location.

There are currently 10 sites registered in Townsville, including three sorting depots and a number of automated vending machines and dropoff points.

Refund sites at Palm Island, Charters Towers and Ayr have also been registered with Container Exchange ( COEX), the not- for- profit organisation given the Government contract to implement the scheme.

A spokesman for COEX told the Bulletin collection sites were preparing for a large volume of containers in the early days of the scheme due to reports of individuals and groups “stockpiling” in recent months.

The spokesman said the company was happy with the number of collection points registered in Townsville and expected the number to expand as more people remember to collect containers.

There are no permanent sites registered on Magnetic Island but when asked if an interim mobile drop- off would be deployed COEX did not respond by deadline.

Most drink cans and bottles between 150ml and 3L are eligible for the refund with the exception of household items like plain milk containers, wine and spirit bottles.

Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Minister Leeanne Enoch said the exclusion of plain milk containers was consistent with other states and territories.

“This is to reduce consumer confusion about which containers are eligible for the refund and avoid labelling inconsistencies and therefore additional costs, in different states for national brand owners,” she said.

Ms Enoch said the State Government was committed to tackling plastic pollution in Queensland.

“Queenslanders use close to three billion containers per year, and laid end- to- end, these containers would stretch around the world about 10 times,” she said.

“Sadly, containers are the second most commonly littered item, despite the fact they can be easily recycled.”

LNP environment spokesman David Crisafulli said the Government must ensure people could access collection points to ensure they could get their money back.

“If people can’t recycle, the scheme is flawed,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Easy access to collection points is really crucial in encouraging families, community groups and businesses to recycle.”

More information on Containers for Change can be found at www.containersforchange.com.au.