Containers for Change opened new Harristown recycling depot

A national initiative has another spot in Toowoomba with residents encouraged to dig deep and pave the way into a new recycling era. Details here.

Regional Manager for Containers Exchange Jim Jeffries, Toowoomba Regional Council Cr Nancy Summerfield, Federal Labor MP for Groom Garth Hamilton, Rod Lord for Containers for Cash, Jan Taylor for Containers for Cash, General Manager for Newlands Group John Ryan, Chairman for Containers Exchange Mark O'Brien, General Manager of Containers Exchange Shaun Fraser, Operations Manager for Containers for Cash Artie Carpenter, MP for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts, Property, Events and Sponsorship Manager at Newlands Group Emily O'Sullivan and Managing Director of Newlands Group Barry O'Sullivan at the official opening of the Harristown Containers for Change depot.

A week after Clean Up Australia Day and the devastating floods, Toowoomba officials have rejoiced as a new centre opened at the weekend, with residents able to cash in on their recyclables.

The Containers for Change at the corner of South and Yaldwyn streets in Harristown would allow for townsfolk to drive through the depot and make recycling easier.

Containers for Cash operations manager Arthur Carpenter said since the opening of the North Toowoomba depot in 2021 and the new South Toowoomba depot, Toowoomba locals have recycled a whopping 8.5 million eligible containers.

“The Toowoomba community is full of incredible recycling heroes doing their part for our local community,” he said.

Media Adviser for Containers Exchange Lucinda Kent, Chairman of Containers Exchange Mark O’Brien, and Events Co-ordinator of Containers Exchange Danielle Pommer at the Harristown Containers for Change depot. Picture: Matt Ryan MRP Images

“We’ve recycled over 31,106 wheelie bins of waste in over 28,000 transactions.”

“We have also created eight new jobs with the opening of the Harristown facility, for a total of 18 people employed by Containers for Cash, it’s been great to employ locals who are really engaged with the scheme.”

“Our first depot was the first quality drive-through facility in southeast Queensland and the model has really taken off, including in our new depot,” he said.

The Containers for Change scheme provides a 10-cent refund to customers returning eligible beverage containers at any registered point across Queensland.

With many passionate locals of all ages already getting involved, Containers for Cash customers and local community groups celebrated the recycling heroes on opening.

Ken Noye, CEO of Container Exchange, the non-for-profit that runs the Containers for Change scheme said the success of the new refund point showed the passion for recycling in the Toowoomba region.

“Containers for Cash has a strong record servicing nearby areas and this latest depot gives more access than ever, returning thousands of dollars to locals in one of the toughest times to hit Queensland”.

“Across the Darling Downs region, we know a lot of folks have a deep connection to the land and the environment, and recycling containers is a simple way to keep the environment clean while also having the benefit of providing funds back into the local economy,” he said.

The new Harristown depot is open seven days from 8am and allows customers to use the drive-through depot to claim refunds in cash or through EFT or PayPal via the use of their scheme ID.