• 10 billion containers have been returned through Containers for Change 

• $1 billion in 10-cent refunds has been given back to Queensland communities 

• Almost $17 million in 10-cent refunds has been paid directly to charities 

Queenslanders are celebrating a major recycling milestone with 10 billion beverage containers returned through Containers for Change, enough to fill almost 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Those returned containers have also put $1 billion in 10-cent refunds back into Queensland communities.

Natalie Roach, the Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, said the significant achievement was a milestone all of Queensland should celebrate.

“Thanks to Queenslanders more than 600,000 tonnes of container waste has been diverted from landfill, which is enough to fill almost 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” Ms Roach said.

“Over the past six years, we’ve heard incredible stories about the real difference Containers for Change has made across the state from boosting recycling rates to creating over 1,500 local jobs.

“Queenslanders have also donated almost $17 million in 10-cent refunds to charities.”

Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell welcomed the milestone.

“We know Queenslanders want to do the right thing to protect our wonderful environment,” said Minister Powell.

“We are determined to find new ways to lift recycling rates and a big part of that is making sure Queenslanders have accessible ways to recycle in their local community.”

Ms Roach said the 10 billion containers milestone was a further opportunity for Queenslanders who were not yet taking part in the scheme to look at how they could collect containers and refunds.

“Every year about three billion containers are sold in Queensland, but one billion of these are still going unreturned – that’s $100 million in 10-cent refunds left unclaimed,” Ms Roach said.

“Those containers represent a great opportunity for individuals, charities, community groups, sporting clubs and businesses to get started on their container collecting journey.

“Every container collected has a significant environmental, social and economic impact, and together we can work towards ensuring no container goes to waste.”

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