Gold Coaster’s left lost and confused by recycling scheme

Gold Coast residents still have no idea how to locate container drop-off points two weeks after the launch of the state recycling scheme.

GOLD COAST residents are still perplexed on how to locate container drop-off points two weeks after the launch of the state recycling scheme.

The Container Refund Scheme, which began on November 1, promised a return of 10 cents per eligible container, if donated at selected return sites.

However, a number of hopeful recyclers say they have been left stranded because locations had been delisted by the scheme, but remain on Google Maps.

CASH FOR CONTAINERS LAUNCH BUNGLED ON DAY ONE

Containers for Change collection point at Staplyton has been very busy. Picture: Jerad Williams

Retiree David Campbell, from Tallai, said he wasted a round trip from his home into Mudgeeraba in the hope of trading just a few dollars worth of containers.

“I searched the container drop-off in Google like I do when finding most things,” Mr Campbell said.

“It sent me to an address in Mudgeeraba, but when I got there … there was just an empty shed,” he said. “It was a huge waste of time.”

NO ANSWERS ON GOLD COAST CONTAINER DROP OFF CLOSURES

Containers for Change collection points could not be found by many residents. : Jerad Williams

Sean Bubb travelled from Pimpama to Oxenford late last week, only to find himself at a Supercheap Auto.

He wasn’t the first tricked either. A Supercheap Auto Oxenford employee said at least a dozen people have had to be turned away.

“We have now worked out there is one in the Salvation Army store down the road, but it isn’t clear to people,” the Supercheap Auto staff member said.

The issues follow a bungled first day of the container scheme when budding recyclers found themselves at vacant lots, childcare centres or without a drop-off zone altogether.

AEIOU foundation's childcare centre for children with Autism, which was listed as a drop off zone on the Containers for Change website. Staff were unaware of the program.

A spokeswoman for the scheme’s organiser Containers For Change (CoEx) said they were aware of the latest problems.

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“We understand a number of residents have been unable to locate the recycling centres listed,” she said.

“Some people are unaware the operator Re Turn It have partnered with charity organisations, including the Salvos and Lifeline.

“It can take some time to make changes on Google Maps. However, we have worked with Google to update the site and refer our customers to the Containers for Change website to ensure accuracy.”

More than 1.1 million containers have been collected from the Gold Coast since the launch.

The scheme has been widely criticised for not placing any drop off points in the Gold Coast’s larger population centres in the North, however applications have now been received for drop-off centres north of Pimpama.

“Exchange will continue to add to its network of container refunds points to ensure coverage where required,” the CoEx spokeswoman said.