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IMPACT Community Services Embraces Expansion of Queensland’s Containers for Change Scheme

Last updated:
10/09/2024

Lee Davey, a vital member of IMPACT Community Services’ award-winning Containers for Change team, is poised to shatter collection records this summer.

Recently honoured as the Small Operator of the Year at the 2023 Changemaker Awards, IMPACT’s dedicated team is all set for a significant expansion of the Containers for Change Scheme. This expansion, effective from November 1, now includes wine and spirit bottles.

The scheme, which refunds 10 cents for each eligible bottle, has already returned more than $630 million since its launch in 2018.

Lee and her team are committed to providing excellent service at IMPACT’s two Container Refund Points located at 417 Windermere Rd, Qunaba and 78 University Drive, Bundaberg.

Tanya O’Shea, IMPACT’s Managing Director, shares Lee’s excitement about the scheme’s expansion.

“We know summer is always the busiest time of the year for our CRP teams and with the expansion we think this year will be the busiest yet,” Mrs O’Shea said.

“It benefits both our environment and community. By recycling with IMPACT, you’re making a difference in multiple ways.”

Operating two strategically placed Container Refund Points as part of its Recycling Social Enterprise, IMPACT champions environmental sustainability while also promoting community growth by providing employment opportunities for about 25 supported employees.

“Our Container Refund Points are more than just recycling centres,” Mrs O’Shea explained.

“They’re spaces where environmental care intersects with community support.”

To simplify the recycling process, IMPACT encourages everyone to download the Containers for Change app. For information on how to do this go to www.containersforchange.com.au/

For more information about IMPACT's Container Refund Points, visit Containers for Change - Impact Community Services

Bundaberg-based community organisation, IMPACT Community Services has been awarded for its efforts in providing job opportunities to Wide Bay workers with disability in Queensland’s annual Changemaker Awards.

IMPACT was named Small Operator of the Year alongside individuals, community groups and organisations from across Queensland at the 2023 Changemaker Awards held in Brisbane on Thursday, July 6.

Each year, the Changemaker Awards honour those making a difference in local communities by recycling through the Containers for Change scheme, which pays customers 10 cents for every eligible beverage container returned at a refund point.

IMPACT has been operating Container Refund Points in Bundaberg since 2018, driving the community to become a recycling leader resulting in a 54% increase in containers recycled from year to year.

IMPACT uses these refund points to provide greater opportunities for workers with disability, rostering these workers at all Container Refund Points so they can develop their skills while engaging with the broader community.

The organisation was also commended for its Container Refund Point at Qunaba, a self-sufficient and solar-powered facility making container refunds more convenient for residents in Bargara, Innes Park and Burnett Heads.

Team effort

Tanya O’Shea, Managing Director of IMPACT, shared her pride in her team following the award and attributed their success to a love for their local community.

“We are so proud to be recognised as Small Operator of the Year at the Change Maker Awards this year! This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and their love for our community,” said Mrs O’Shea.

“The people of our community are at the heart of what we do. If our staff feel included, they’re more likely to make our customers feel welcomed. By prioritising staff development and investing in our people, we foster a positive and engaged workplace culture that benefits everyone.”

Sustainable focus

IMPACT’s award helps shine a light on some of the best sustainability efforts in Queensland alongside other winners in nine different categories which were brought to life by leading sustainability not-for-profit organisation, Container Exchange.

Container Exchange Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Roach said the commitment and creativity highlighted in this year’s awards submissions was inspiring.

“The 2023 Changemaker Awards showcase just what a profound effect the Containers for Change scheme is having on the communities of Queensland,” said Ms Roach.

“We are continuing to see individuals, community groups, charities and organisations create change and drive social impact in their local community, simply by collecting and returning eligible containers through the scheme.

“I want to congratulate the winners and all our finalists from this year’s Changemaker Awards for not only creating positive change for their community but helping clean up the local environment. Those recognised truly are making great change for the future.”

2023 CHANGEMAKER AWARDS – HONOUR ROLL
Changemaker of the Year – Hearts of Purple, Gold Coast
Community Group or Charity of the Year – Hearts of Purple, Gold Coast
People’s Choice Operator of the Year – Anything Environmental, Paget
Young Changemaker of the Year – Hudson Magee, Brisbane; Holly and Charli Garrity, Brisbane
Refund Point Employee of the Year – Rhys Cobbo, Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, Kingaroy
Sustainable Beverage Manufacturer of the Year – Mount Warning Beverage Company, Mt Warning NSW
Large Operator of the Year – Reef Recycling and Logistics, Townvsille
Medium Operator of the Year – Return ‘Em for Cash, Toowoomba
Small Operator of the Year – IMPACT Community Services, Bundaberg

Two local businesses dedicated to recycling, have teamed up to make turning your containers into change even more accessible for the region’s coastal community.

With a specifically-modified 40ft shipping container, IMPACT Community Services and Green Solutions Wide Bay have opened a new Containers for Change refund point which is located at 417 Windermere Road, Qunaba.

The Refund Point container has been fitted out with solar power complete with a back-up battery system. The refund Point will create 6 employment positions for local people.

The Containers for Change scheme in Queensland is run and founded by Container Exchange (COEX), a not-for-profit organisation.

Under the scheme, residents can take their eligible containers (which generally display a 10c refund mark) to a refund point to cash in their recyclables.

You can request this refund via cash, or you can sign up for a scheme ID and choose to get your refund paid to your bank account, PayPal or favourite cause.

This innovative and collaborative approach to the mobile container refund point is understood to be the first of its kind for COEX.

It will be stationed at Green Solutions Wide Bay’s state-of-the-art open windrow composting facility on Windermere Rd and operated by IMPACT Community Services.

Opening times will be Monday to Friday 8.00am till 3.30pm and Saturdays 9.30 till 1.30pm.

Green Solutions provides Wide Bay residents with a free and convenient green waste drop-off and disposal site that turns green waste into compost.

Nathan Freeman, General Manager at Green Solutions Wide Bay, said: "we are super excited to be working with such a wonderful local organisation in IMPACT Community Services. This partnership will benefit the environment and our wider region, which is the heart of our business."

IMPACT Community Services social enterprises manager Rob Henderson commended Green Solutions Wide Bay for their commitment to recycling and collaboration, helping bring great results for the environment and job opportunities to the region.

This new Refund Point will be run by IMPACT in addition to the refund point at University Drive.

IMPACT hopes the Qunaba site will make recycling containers for change more convenient for residents throughout the region.

For more information visit https://greensolutionswidebay.com.au/ or phone 0418 800 398.

Further details about Containers for Change are available at https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/

The region's can-do attitude to recycling is undoubtedly growing!

IMPACT Community Services' Container Refund Point on University Dr has witnessed a massive increase throughout the last year and December with more than a 100% increase.

IMPACT's Enterprises General Manager Robert Henderson said according to the COEX figures we had an "exceptional December" with figures up 180% on the previous year at the CRP.

He said throughout 2021 we also achieved a 108% increase on the previous year.

"This shows that recycling is being taken up by the Local Community," he said.

When you recycle with Containers for Change, you get a 10-cent refund for every eligible container you return.

Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard beverage containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible for a 10 cent refund - they typically have a 10c refund mark on them.

You can check the eligibility by visiting the Containers for Change here.

Some of the items that are not eligible include:

IMPACT's Container Refund Point is located at 78 University Dr and open from 7.30am to 4pm on weekdays and 8am to midday on Saturdays.

Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.

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