Woorabinda was one of the last two pieces of the puzzle for the container scheme in Queensland. Photo: Supplied.
Every First Nations community in Queensland now has access to a container refund scheme following the inclusion of Mornington Island and Woorabinda.
More than six million containers were returned through refund points in First Nations communities last financial year, generating $600,000 in 10 cent refunds.
Container Exchange (COEX), the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, has co-designed each container refund service in a First Nations community with local councils, rangers and leaders to reflect community needs and support local priorities.
Containers for Change aims to increase recycling rates and reduce litter by allowing Queenslanders to exchange eligible drink containers to either earn a 10 cent refund for each container returned or donate the proceeds to their nominated community group.
COEX chief executive officer Natalie Roach said 100 per cent coverage in First Nations communities was a significant milestone for the scheme.
“Ensuring First Nations communities have access to the scheme is a significant step forward in making recycling more inclusive, accessible and community driven,” Ms Roach said.
“Guided by local leadership, this milestone has only been made possible by working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to build these services together.
“We will continue to proudly partner with local operators and councils to bring container refund services to rural and remote areas, ensuring no container goes to waste.”
The container scheme aims to help protect the environment and return funds to the community. Photo: Supplied.
On remote Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Wellesley Island Rangers have partnered with COEX and mainland operator Gulf C4C to set up a Containers for Change drop-off point at the barge.
Community members can return their containers, which are then shipped to Karumba for collection and processing, with the 10 cent refund transferred to members’ bank accounts.
Ranger coordinator Thomas Wilson said the new setup made it easier and more cost-effective for the community to get involved in Containers for Change, while helping protect the environment and supporting local education.
“We’re keeping containers out of landfill and using the 10 cent refund to teach kids about the impact of microplastics on our local fish and turtle populations, as they often mistake it for food which harms our ecosystem,” Mr Wilson said.
“The funds also help us run crocodile safety awareness and host community events like barbecues to bring people together.”
More than 400 container refund points now operate across Queensland, including in metropolitan, regional and remote areas.
The First Nations communities involved:
- Aurukun Shire council (Aurukun)
- Burke Shire council (Doomadgee)
- Cherbourg Shire council (Cherbourg)
- Cook Shire council (Coen)
- Douglas Shire council (Mossman Gorge)
- Hope Vale Shire council (Hope Vale)
- Kowanyama Shire council (Kowanyama)
- Lockhart River Shire council (Lockhart River)
- Mapoon Shire council (Mapoon)
- Mornington Shire council (Mornington Island)
- Napranum Shire council (Napranum)
- Northern Peninsula Area Regional council (Bamaga, Injinoo, Seisia, New Mapoon and Umagico)
- Palm Island Shire council (Palm Island)
- Pormpuraaw Shire council (Pormpuraaw)
- Torres Shire council (Horn Island, Prince of Wales Island, Thursday Island and Hammond Island)
- Torres Strait Island Regional council (TSIRC) (Murray Island, Darnely Island, Stephen Island, Yorke Island, Coconut Island, Sue Island, Yam Island, Mabuiag Island, Badu Island, Moa Island, Saibai Island, Dauan Island and Boigu Island)
- Weipa Town authority (Weipa)
- Woorabinda Shire council (Woorabinda)
- Wujal Wujal Shire council (Wujal Wujal)
- Yarrabah Shire council (Yarrabah).
COEX runs the Containers for Change scheme in Queensland on behalf of the Queensland Government.
