In bid to continue to improve the recycling habits of Queenslanders, Return-It is providing trailers, free-of-charge to community groups, sporting teams, schools and commercial organisations, to help them raise funds through the Containers for Change scheme.
Locals will now be able to conveniently recycle their eligible containers, such as beer bottles, cans and plastic containers while helping the environment and community, by delivering them to the new Depot at 148 Herberton Road, Atherton.
The new Return-It Depot will be the company’s 15th to open in Queensland since the Containers for Change scheme launched on 1 November 2018.
This new Depot gives the customers the option to receive a cash refund on the spot. Alternatively, customers can continue using the Return-It Express site, located at Vinnies Atherton, and quote their scheme ID to have their refunds transferred into their nominated bank account.
Return-It Managing Director, David Singh said it was an exciting time for Queenslanders to take ownership of recycling while supporting their local community.
“Bringing Return-It to Queensland has given people a chance to get back on track with their recycling, putting the billions of containers used across the state each year, into the right place, to be recycled, rather than ending up in landfill or waterways,” Mr Singh said.
The CEO of Container Exchange (COEX) – the not-for-profit which runs the Containers for Change scheme – welcomed the opening of the new Atherton Depot.
“This will improve access to the scheme in the Atherton area, and further improve container refund rates,” Ken Noye said. “We’ve just hit the scheme’s six-month mark and have had 440 million containers returned to date.
“That’s about a third more than we forecast, and it means we’ve been able to give back $44 million to individuals, community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations since we launched.”
The new Depots being launched across Queensland are also enhancing local communities through employment opportunities for locals.
“Return-It has already brought more than 100 jobs to Queensland, we are committed to developing employment and training opportunities in regional QLD for people who have been out of the workforce for a long time, as well as for those who live with disabilities,” Mr Singh said.
“It is our intention to encourage thoughtfulness in the community, which really plays to the scheme’s name ‘Containers for Change’. Return-It benefits the customer, the community and the environment and we can’t wait to see how the addition of this depot is successful in this vibrant community.”
Visit www.containersforchange.com.au to register for a containers for change ID and find your nearest Return-It QLD Depot or Express site to get involved!