Containers for Change reforms put Queenslanders first

Fundamental failures in the current Containers for Change scheme have seen new reforms passed which will strengthen accountability, lift performance and ensure money within the scheme works harder for Queenslanders.  

Reforms designed to have more containers returned and put more refunds in Queenslanders’ pockets, supporting local charities and community groups, or investment in making Queensland’s environment even better strengthens the Less Landfill, More Recycling 2035 Queensland Waste Strategy to improve Queensland recycling fixing serious flaws within Queensland’s Containers for Change scheme ensuring more of the money within the scheme is working for Queenslanders.  

A Parliamentary Inquiry exposed serious problems with the scheme’s design, governance, transparency and oversight, while significant surpluses accumulated and the scheme repeatedly failing to meet its legislated 85 per cent recovery target.  

Since the scheme began, it has generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue, but the Inquiry found less than 40 per cent had been returned to Queenslanders through container refunds.  

It also found surplus funds had been used to offset beverage industry costs, rather than being reinvested to improve the scheme or support environmental and charitable programs.  

The reforms will:  

• get more money back to Queenslanders by driving better performance and more container returns;  

• put surplus funds to work through a clear plan for how money is managed, invested and used;  

• back local communities and the environment by enabling greater investment in charities, community programs, recycling infrastructure and environmental initiatives;  

• make the scheme more accountable through independent audits, stronger reporting and greater Ministerial oversight;  

• bring about stronger independence and accountability requirements for the scheme coordinator and its Board; and  

• provide relief to small beverage manufactures; and  

• recycle more containers and materials by strengthening the scheme and expanding what can be recovered (including container lids).  

The reforms complement the Less Landfill, More Recycling 2035 Queensland Waste Strategy, which is driving more recycling, better infrastructure and less waste going to landfill.  

Minister Andrew Powell said the reforms were about making Containers for Change deliver more for Queenslanders delivering the transparency, accountability and performance Queenslanders deserve.  

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“We want more of the money in this scheme back in Queenslanders’ pockets, supporting local charities and community groups, or invested in making Queensland’s environment even better.  

“That means more containers returned, more refunds claimed and a scheme that works harder for Queenslanders.”   

An overview of the recommendations is available here: Improving the container refund scheme - qld.gov.au