The Sunshine State has become the latest in Australia to launch a refund scheme for containers, with the beverage industry giving Queensland’s “Containers for Change” program a thumbs-up.
More than 230 refund points have been set up around the state, with more expected to follow within the next 12 months, offering 10-cent refunds on most drink containers between 150ml and 3L. Leeanne Enoch, Queensland minister for environment and the Great Barrier Reef, urged residents to make use of the program.
“Around three billion drink or beverage containers are used every year in Queensland,” said Enoch. “Laid end to end those containers would stretch around the world 10 times.
“We want to make sure Queenslanders, wherever they are in the state, have the opportunity to receive the refund, or to donate the refund to a charity, school or community group of their choice.”
The Queensland Government appointed ContainerExchange (CoEx), a not-for-profit organisation, to run the scheme on its behalf. Geoff Parker, CEO of the Australian Beverage Council, said this ensured Containers for Change was the responsibility of the industry.
“We congratulate the Queensland Government for working together with beverage industry on the CRS to ensure the configuration of this important program is successful and sustainable from the outset.
“Western Australia will be the next state to implement a container deposit scheme, and the beverage industry looks forward to partnering with the Government of Western Australia,” said Parker.
