Whopping five million containers saved from Maranoa landfill

Maranoa residents have put $500,000 back into their pockets when they collected over five million containers in one single year. READ MORE:

Michelle Thompson and Angie Hockaday.

A staggering five million containers have been saved from landfill and in turn, half a million dollars have been injected into the pockets of Maranoa residents.

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Local Angie Hockaday took over the Maranoa Container Refund scheme from Maranoa Regional Council about two years ago and since has seen a whopping increase each year in how many items have been saved from going into landfill.

“The first year council was involved, they saved about 3.5 million containers and we’ve since increased that number dramatically each year,” Mrs Hockaday said.

“We’re averaging about 102,000 containers a week and over the Christmas period it was about 160,000.

“$500,000 was refunded back into the community which is absolutely fantastic.

“Instead of going into landfill, we’re doing something about it as a community and it’s being recycled – we have three massive containers and each week they go out, that’s a huge amount disappearing from our gutters and going into bins.”

Incredibly, at the beginning of this year, on January 15, the program reached five million containers and in turn had its biggest week to date, collecting 161,715 containers in just four days!

“It gives you goosebumps,” Mrs Hockaday said.

“It just makes you feel good, it’s a great feeling that we as a community are not filling up landfill and the items will actually be reused.

“It’s a great scheme and we hope to get more people involved.”

The organiser works full time for the program – she spends each Tuesday of the month visiting other towns – Injune, Wallumbilla, Yuleba, Surat and Jackson and also ensures she engages with local events to have someone collecting containers.

“Easter in the Country is on board … most functions that come up, I call and see whether they have someone collecting their cans … scouts have heavily been involved, especially with the races which is a fantastic fundraiser for them,” she said.

“We have everyday mums and dads helping out and at least 2-3 new people each week sign up.

“The Lions Club and Butter Factory also have their own bins as a fundraiser which then is brought to us.”

She will tell anyone out there how simple it is, “just sign up and start collecting”.

“You register online, deposit your cans, have a number and Containers for Change pay into your account, usually overnight,” she said.

With six million containers in mind this year, Mrs Hockaday believes she will be able to reach that amount with events like Easter in the Country, rugby competitions, picnic races and more scheduled go ahead.

They are also hoping to add cardboard to their list in the next six months also.

Mrs Hockaday visits:

• First Tuesday of each month: Injune 9.30-11am behind the Information Centre/ Cafe on Second.
• Second Tuesday of each month: Wallumbilla 9-10.30 at the Calico Cottage.
• Yuleba 11-11.30 across from the council office at the park.
• Jackson 12-12.30 next to the CWA hall.
• Third Tuesday of each month: Surat 9.30-11 at the Lyons Park.

More information:

Maranoa Container Refund

Containers for Change – Queensland

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