A CAPALABA metal recycling depot received the highest number of containers in greater Brisbane on the day Queensland’s refund scheme was launched.
Advanced Metal Recyclers co-owner Janelle Zordan said more than 100,000 containers had been handed in on the first day of Containers for Change.
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson called for more refund points, especially on North Stradbroke Island where there were none.
Mr Robinson said the island’s residents had been overlooked, which was consistent with Labor’s attitude for the last eight years.
“If the government cared about the island residents, environmental sensitivities, economic transition strategy and tourism opportunities there would have been at least three refund points (one for each of the three townships) announced already for Straddie residents to use so that they don’t have to drag their rubbish on buses and on ferries across Moreton Bay to the one refund point in Cleveland,” Mr Robinson said.
He also called for more refund points on the mainland in the Oodgeroo electorate.
“It is disappointing that this Labor government have provided only one refund point for the entire electorate,” he said.
Mayor Karen Williams said she had written to the environment minister asking for the state to consider installing collection points on all Redlands islands.
“Without local collection points our island residents face increased transport costs to get containers to mainland collection points, making the program financially taxing and less attractive for them,” Cr Williams said.
“The state is hoping to open more recycling points moving forward and I have asked the minister to ensure our islands are considered as part of these additional locations.
“I have heard anecdotally from residents that the cost of cans of drinks and other eligible containers have increased as a result of the Containers for Change initiatives but if residents then have to pay more to access recycling locations they will be hit twice with added costs.”
Capalaba MP Don Brown said the response from Redlands residents was exciting and more sites would be launched.
“This is just the beginning and I am thrilled with the initial take up of the scheme,” Mr Brown said.
He encouraged sporting clubs and school’s parents and citizens associations to use the scheme to raise money.
Ms Zordan said the outlet expected a large turnout on the weekend.
She encouraged people to sort containers to speed up the process at the outlet. Cans and bottles are not to be crushed.
Ms Zordan said her husband Malcolm had started Advanced Metal Recyclers 18 years ago.
“It was a no-brainer for us to expand when we heard about the scheme,” Ms Zordan said.
“We have put on six people so far but we will probably need to expand.
“We would also love to be in a position to collect containers from North Stradbroke Island and the bay islands.”
For information and collection points, visit containersforchange.com.au.
Eligible containers:
