The State Government has launched an inquiry into the container refund scheme in an attempt to boost recycling rates.
The scheme has a target return rate of 85%, but has continually fallen well short of the target.
COEX’s 2023-24 annual report has revealed an annual recovery rate of 67.4%, and the recovery rate for the first two quarters of this financial year is 62.7%.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell says the Inquiry would help identify how the program could be improved to put more refunds in Queenslanders’ pockets.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to boosting recycling through Containers for Change, saving recyclables from landfill and delivering more refunds to Queenslanders,” Minister Powell says.
“The Inquiry will also assess deposit location coverage, to help boost Queenslanders’ access,” he says.
The Parliamentary Committee will be tasked with delivering a report by August 2025.
