Queensland Crushes Cans For Cash

One of Australia’s largest recycling companies is bringing 48 can collection depots across Queensland for the state’s recently unveiled Container Refund Scheme.

Envirobank Recycling were appointed by Container Exchange (CoEx) after an extensive selection process that prioritised meeting customer needs, such as providing mobile collection points.  

Acting chair of CoEx Alby Taylor said: “We have listened to the feedback from other states and in Queensland you will see a lot more mobile collections to ensure we can get to as many people as possible wanting a refund.”

Coles were announced as a corporate partner of the program, with collection points being installed inside their supermarkets across the state.

Coles’ Queensland general manager Jerry Farrell said this was a good way for the company to improve recycling and reduce waste from landfill.

“Our partnership with Envirobank in Queensland is a great opportunity for us to work with our customers to stop empty plastic containers ending up on the streets, our waterways or in landfill,” Farrell said.

Community organisation Surf Life Saving Queensland was also named as a partner, with the money from the cans recycled at their collection points going back into their organisation.

Founder and managing director of Envirobank, Narelle Anderson, said they would operate mobile refund points in various surf locations to ensure the public had full access to the scheme, and to help clean up Queensland beaches.  

“It’s evident the program is much more than a litter reduction initiative,” Anderson said.

“With the right partnerships in place the scheme has the potential to raise substantial funds for many charities that deliver the vital services we need in our communities.”   

Anderson also said her goal was to make collecting refunds stress free, and they were always dreaming up new ways to improve this aspect of the program.

Refunds at the centres are made by cash, gift vouchers or Paypal.  

The program will be rolled out from 1 November, with empty drink cans with the  approved refund mark able to be exchanged for 10 cents in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville, and the Gold Coast.