Lifeline wins statewide award for service to the Darling Downs community

A business servicing the Toowoomba and Darling Downs has won a major award for its Containers for Change scheme.

A joint venture between a recycling company and community group Lifeline has won a special award for their positive impact on Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

Lifeline Darling Downs and South-West Qld has banded together with Return-It to run Container Refund Points (CRPs) in both Toowoomba and Dalby through the Containers for Change scheme.

The scheme offers 10 cent refunds for the return of eligible containers at Container Refund Points across Queensland and has collected more than 2.5 billion containers since inception two years ago.

At the second annual Change Maker awards Return It-Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Qld won the special Chairman’s Award for their unique operation.

Earlier this year Lifeline-Return-It employee Doug Evans was recognised for the outstanding customer service he provides at the Toowoomba CRP.

His attention to detail in explaining the service was one of the catalysts for the nomination for the award.

The Lifeline-Return-It operation has been proactive in employing staff with disabilities and has also instigated a successful drought relief appeal in the area.

Lifeline Darling Downs and South-West Qld chief executive Derek Tuffield said he was one of the people who gained employment through the Containers for Change scheme.

He said the team was honoured by this.

“Doug greets customers at the door and takes them through the whole process,” he said.

“We have a training program which we put trainees through where we teach them more about the recycling process.

“We teach them how to greet customers and also how to work in a team environment.

“We think that is really important – understanding there are set things that need to happen at certain times.

“You turn up for work, you are part of a team, you enjoy your lunchtimes and the comradery, and at the end of the day you have done a good job.

“With the drought campaign we raised $60,000 for our farmers in an area that has been dealing with seven years of drought, as well as bushfires in places like Stanthorpe, Crows Nest and Millmerran.”

The Change Maker Awards was held as a virtual ceremony.

For more information on Containers for Change head to www.containersforchange.com.au.

Originally published as Lifeline wins statewide award for service to the Darling Downs community