Containers for Change has seen more than five million containers returned and recycled in Queensland. Credit: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.

Queensland’s container refund scheme, Containers for Change, has seen more than five million containers returned and recycled within one week of its launch.

Queensland Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch launched the scheme on 1 November in a move to reduce beverage container litter in the state.

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The government also announced that Darling Downs residents have returned more than 385,000 containers.

Enoch said: “Across Queensland, more than five million containers have been returned – that’s half a million dollars that has already gone back to Queenslanders, charities and community groups.

“Containers for Change is about encouraging more recycling and reducing litter in the environment by allowing Queenslanders to get A$0.10 back for returning their cans and bottles.

“Queenslanders use nearly three billion containers every year and sadly they are the second most commonly littered item in the environment, despite the fact they can be easily recycled.”

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“More than five million containers have been returned – that’s half a million dollars that has already gone back to Queenslanders, charities and community groups.”

Enoch noted that the scheme has created nearly 500 jobs across the state and expects the number of jobs to increase in the future.

Australian not-for-profit organisation Container Exchange (CoEx) is responsible for implementing and managing the container refund scheme.

Container Exchange CEO Ken Noye said: “We have had an exceptional response from community groups and charities wanting to become a Donation Point after recognising the benefits of being a part of the scheme.”

Residents who returned containers received the refund at various locations, including over-the-counter, drop-off and reverse vending machine services.