Community & Business
4 November, 2023
Containers program expands
THE successful Containers for Change program is set to be expanded in the Mareeba Shire, after the council was approached by existing operators to increase the number of locations where containers can be dropped.
Container Exchange (QLD) Limited (COEX) and Cairns Recycling will work with the council to provide additional points where locals can drop off plastic and glass containers including one at Arara Street, Kuranda, a public bin trial at Kuranda, and the installation of a waste transfer station bulk bin at some of the shire’s waste transfer stations.
“We have worked with Mareeba Shire for just shy of five years to deliver the Containers for Change Scheme,” Brad Luders from Mareeba Recycling explained.
“Our combined efforts with community buy-in has delivered positive impacts on the environment across the region.
“We proposed three solutions to enhance the program and we look forward for the first solution, the Kuranda Bag Drop, to be installed by Christmas.”
An avid supporter of recycling, Cr Lenore Wyatt said it made sense to start the expansion of the program at Kuranda.
“For us as a council it made sense to pick Kuranda as the first town to receive a shipping container. Kuranda residents are conscious about the environment and this container will replace the metal cages used for recycling purposes at Arara Street,” she said.
“The container will be branded Kuranda-style with pictures of cassowaries and native trees and will be more aesthetically pleasing than the current solution.
“Residents will be given the opportunity to either cash-in on the containers recycled or donate the proceeds to their chosen charity. Additional information and video tutorials will be made available on council’s website when the container is installed.”
The second solution is the installation of six public bins in Kuranda’s CBD for recycling of eligible containers as part of a trial.
“Residents and visitors can use these bins to recycle eligible containers with the proceeds being donated to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal,” Cr Wyatt said.
A report to council advised that the move would result in a cost saving to council, with all public litter collected in Kuranda, including eligible containers, currently taken to the Advanced Resource Recovery Facility, where council pays for the transport, a gate fee, and disposal of residual waste.
“The purpose of the trial will be to determine whether there is adequate take-up of the service, quantify contamination and theft, and determine whether the system could be further rolled out in Kuranda or other locations throughout Mareeba Shire,” it stated.
The third action will involve the installation of a waste transfer station bulk bin, with the initial rollout expected to be at Mareeba and Kuranda, followed by Julatten and potentially other transfer stations across the shire. The bins will replace the yellow-lid recycle bins at transfer stations.
