Burdekin boosts recycling with new Containers for Change Baskets hitting public spaces

Burdekin Shire Council has partnered with Container Exchange to launch a new recycling initiative designed to increase container recycling and reduce waste in the Burdekin region, while giving back to the community.

Since the inception of the Container Refund Scheme in 2018, Burdekin Shire residents have recycled over 40 million eligible drink containers. However, millions of recyclable containers still end up in landfill across Queensland each year due to the lack of drink container recycling bins in public spaces.

To combat this, Council has started rolling out Containers for Change baskets and vertical recycling channels at Council parks, boat ramps, and other public places throughout the region.

Mayor Pierina Dalle Corte said the initiative allows residents and visitors to contribute to a greener Burdekin by placing their empty drink containers into the designated Containers for Change baskets rather than general waste bins.

“Instead of disposing of an eligible container in a bin destined for landfill, residents and visitors can now place it in a Containers for Change basket,” Cr Dalle Corte said.

“This provides an opportunity for other community members to collect and return the containers to North Queensland Green Solutions Ayr for a 10-cent refund, benefiting both the environment and the community.”

“Similar trials of Containers for Change baskets in other parts of Australia have proven successful, contributing to the national effort to reduce waste.

“We are excited to play our part in continuing the war on waste and reducing unnecessary landfill, while providing safe collection points for committed recyclers.”

Residents are asked to use these receptacles as they are intended – for eligible drink containers only.  Coffee cups and plastic and paper takeaway drink cups are to be placed in the waste bins.

For more information on recycling or the location of Containers for Change bins, visit Burdekin Shire Council’s website or call Customer Service on (07) 4783 9800.