Machines that can sort 200 containers a minute, bags that can hold more than 1000 items and countless bright purple bins are being rolled out across the state ahead of the launch of Queensland’s new recycling scheme.
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Recycling an aluminium can or a glass bottle can be turned into anything from a plane wing to a polar-fleece jumper, or simply another can or glass bottle.
From November 1, Queenslanders can claim a 10¢ refund for most plastic drink containers, beer bottles and aluminium cans at one of 232 collection points.
About 70 further sites are also expected to open within 12 months.
The state's first-ever container exchange refund scheme is run by a not-for-profit company called CoEx (Container Exchange) and branded as Containers for Change.
CoEx spokesman Adam Nicholson said Queenslanders were good at recycling at home, but they struggled away from home.
“Part of the problem is that 43 of our 77 councils across Queensland don’t actually have kerbside recycling services,” he said.
"For many, this is the first time many people will have access to recycling.
“Queensland does have some unique challenges around population distribution and obviously remote far north and far west.
“The further you get away from heavy population centres the less likely there are to be recycling services.”
The full map of collection points is now online so residents can find their closest drop off point.
Return-It is behind about 46 per cent of Queensland sites.
The company’s model was rolled out in the ACT on June 30 and 108 Return-It sites, including bulk depots and express drop-offs in selected charity stores, will open in Queensland on November 1.
AEIOU and P&Cs; Queensland have partnered with Return-It.
Between 20 and 30 schools will take part in a pilot program until the end of Term 1, 2019, including schools in Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba and Brisbane.
P&Cs; Queensland president Kevan Goodworth said he hoped after the pilot the program would be extended into all Queensland schools
Return-IT chief development officer Garth Lamb said Return-It paid its charity partners for every eligible container returned through their stores.
“People like to be able to do something good for the environment, people like to be able to get their 10¢ back and the interaction with social enterprises and being able to support charities as well is a really important part,” Mr Lamb said.
On Thursday Brisbane City Council deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner said there were a lot of unanswered questions about the container deposit scheme.
“There could be 20 per cent less bottles and cans in our household and on-street recycling program which impacts the current contract that we have with our recycler,” he said.
“Council has a six-year contract in place which will be voided under these changes – at a potentially huge cost to the people of Brisbane.
“This contract was negotiated prior to the container deposit scheme being confirmed and council had no ability to accommodate the scheme in its contract arrangements.”
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said she found the council’s claims astonishing.
“The idea that Brisbane City Council is worried that people are going to recycle too much and not put recycling in yellow top bins so that they can sell on the items is quite astonishing to me,” she said.
Mr Nicholson said CoEx had been working with the council for many months.
“We’ve been able to reassure them that while some of their fears might be that they’ll miss out under the scheme, in fact the, research from other states and other jurisdictions demonstrates that the increased value of the items outstrips the decrease in volume,” he said.
