General News
14 May, 2025
New way to exchange
TWENTY new waste bin basket attachments have been installed in Atherton and Yungaburra as part of a Containers for Change outdoor recycling initiative.
Container Exchange Points are a convenient way for people to leave their eligible beverage containers in a basket to be collected by others in exchange for the 10-cent refund through Containers for Change (COEX).
Tablelands Regional Council is one of the first councils in Queensland to sign up to the outdoor recycling initiative, which helps keep litter out of our public spaces and increases the amount of 10-cent refunds claimed by the community.
“The baskets have been installed on bins in Atherton and Yungaburra and are a convenient way for people to leave their eligible drink containers to be collected by any person in exchange for the 10-cent refund,” Cr Con Spanos said.
“The containers are available for individual recyclers and community groups to collect. This means there are fewer containers going to landfill and more 10-cent refunds going back into the community.
“I’m hoping the trial in Atherton and Yungaburra works out well and we can roll out the program to other locations and towns in the region.”
COEX chief executive officer Natalie Roach said trials in 12 other Queensland councils showed the attachments were frequently emptied by avid recyclers and made container collection safer for community members.
“Last year there were 9.8 million beverage containers returned in the Tablelands Regional Council area through the Containers for Change scheme, which put almost $1 million back into the pockets of locals,” Ms Roach said.
