AFTER learning about the value of recycling at a young age, Redland Bay resident Angus McLauchlan is teaching the same lessons to his three-year-old son.
Mr McLauchlan was photographed in 1989 with can recycling mascot Captain Comalco in Mackay, and is now using the Containers for Change scheme to teach his son the lessons he learned at a young age.
"I remember just being excited to get some money to get some lollies in exchange for these cans," Mr McLauchlan said.
"It was just for aluminium cans but getting the concept of learning to return that resource because it's valuable pretty early on influenced the way I think about resources.
"I tried to instill that in Cameron at an early age as well."
Mr McLauchlan said Cameron, who is now the same age as his father was when the photograph was taken, was enthusiastic about Containers for Change.
"It took a little while to understand what was happening when I tried explaining it to him theoretically," Mr McLauchlan said.
"When we actually did it, when he saw us handing over containers, he got it.
"Now he points out the 10 cents logo on the container."
Mr McLauchlan said he was hopeful the scheme would help create a sustainable world for Cameron's generation.
"It just seems like a very small price to pay for such an effective response encouraging people to recycle," he said.
"I think it's important to know that materials are recycled in nature and I think if we try to emulate that with our own materials I think that we can have a sustainable existence."
