Turn cheers into charity at new container exchange points

Published: 4th December 2024

People can contribute to the popular Containers for Change initiative using new Container Exchange Point baskets installed on bins at Riverdale Park in Meadowbrook, Noffke Park in Bethania and at Evergreen Park in Loganlea.

Thirsty park goers – who aren’t able to visit a Containers for Change depot themselves – can now leave their eligible containers at these parks for others to collect to claim the 10c reward.

Environment Chair Councillor Miriam Stemp said if successful, more Container Exchange Points could be installed at parks across the city.

“City of Logan residents are already enthusiastic participants in the Containers for Change program and we’re hoping that this visible new initiative will inspire even more people to take part,” Cr Stemp said.

Division 6 Councillor Tony Hall said it was a win for both the environment and the local economy.

“This initiative will divert waste from landfill and support individual collectors and community groups, some of whom rely heavily on income received from the Containers for Change program,” Cr Hall said.

Container Exchange Executive of Network Delivery Thomas Juzwin said the City of Logan was an early adopter of the new exchange points, which are being rolled out across South East Queensland.

“Queenslanders are doing a fantastic job of recycling at home, but there are lots of containers being consumed out of home that we’re missing. Container Exchange Points provide a simple way to recycle eligible containers when you’re out and about,” Mr Juzwin said.

“It’s also great for our community collectors, who can now safely collect containers and return them to local depots.

“Those depots then transport the materials through to processing facilities, where they continue their recycling journey.”

More than 800 million drink containers have been recycled through Containers for Change depots in the City of Logan since the scheme was launched in 2018.

In the 2024 financial year 196 million containers were returned in Logan equating to almost $20 million in refunds to City of Logan residents. The figure is a 9.6 percent increase on the previous financial year.

This financial year, container return volumes in the City of Logan have increased by 12 percent, representing one of the highest year-on-year increases in South East Queensland and demonstrating growing interest from residents in container recycling.

The City of Logan is home to 15 container refund points including depots, bag drops and reverse vending machines.

For more information on container recycling, including where to return eligible containers, go to: containerexchange.com.au