Containers for Change

What is Containers for Change?

The Queensland Government Containers for Change scheme gives people an incentive to collect and return containers for recycling, in exchange for a 10 cent refund payment.

The scheme aims to reduce littering and increase Queensland’s recycling rate.  It also provides benefits to social enterprises, communities and regional areas by creating new job, recycling and fundraising opportunities.

What is an eligible container?

Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard beverage containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible for a 10 cent refund.

Eligible containers state they are part of the Containers for Change scheme.

You can also enter the barcode of containers on the Containers for Change website.

Where is my closest drop off point?

Drop off points are listed on the Containers for Change website.

 

Recycling Wheelie Bin

Does my recycling wheelie bin actually get recycled?

Recycling material collected from wheelie bins is transported to the Cairns Regional Council Material Recovery Facility (MFR).

Once at the MFR, material is sorted, bailed and (with the exception of glass) sent to Brisbane where it is sold in bulk to recycling facilities.

If your recycling bin is badly contamination, e.g. large amounts of food and green waste is present, the MRF will reject the material and direct it to the general waste stream.

What can I put in my recycling wheelie bin?

I have a large item that won’t fit in my recycling bin, what should I do?

Larger items can be taken to one of Council’s four Transfer Stations, fees and charges may apply.

General Waste Wheelie Bin

Where does my general waste wheelie bin go?

General waste collected from wheelie bins is transported to the SUEZ Advanced Resource Recovery Technology plant in Cairns.

What can I put in my general waste bin?

I have a large item that won’t fit in my wheelie bin, what should I do?

Larger items can be taken to one of Council’s four Transfer Stations, fees and charges may apply.

 

Waste Levy

What is the Waste Levy?

The Queensland Government introduced a Waste Levy on 1 July 2019 which aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Does the Waste Levy apply to me?

Landfill operators pay the levy to the Queensland Government based on the amount of waste disposed of to landfill.

Residential Waste – The levy does not apply to wheelie bin waste or self-hauled residential waste at Council’s Transfer Stations.

Business Waste – The levy does not apply to wheelie bin waste, however businesses are required to pay the waste levy for self-hauled landfill waste taken to Council’s Transfer Station.  The levy component is incorporated into Council’s Commercial tipping fees and charges.

Where can I find further information?

 

 

Updated 20/01/2021