State of Origin I was still a win for Queensland with the event marking four million containers from Stadiums Queensland venues recycled through Containers for Change.
On Wednesday night, one conscientious patron at Suncorp Stadium placed the milestone container in one of the venue’s dedicated container recycling bins.
Container collection points are located across eight Stadiums Queensland venues including Suncorp Stadium, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, CBUS Super Stadium, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, People First Stadium, Sleeman Sports Complex, QSAC and The Gabba.
Sport Minster Tim Mander said it’s great to see Stadiums Queensland and the community working together to make the initiative a success.
“While Queensland couldn’t quite get the win last night, our Queenslanders in the stands certainly did their bit for their state,” Minister Mander said.
“Four million containers refunded is no small feat, and these collection points are another way our Queensland venues are continually adopting initiatives to benefit the community.
“Not only is the scheme providing environmental benefits, but it also has a large social benefit funds generated from the scheme returned to deserving Queensland charities.”
Minister for The Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said it was a great milestone for Queensland.
“We know everyone wants to do the right thing, and this is proves that Queenslanders are right behind recycling,” Mr Powell said.
Stadiums Queensland Chief Executive Todd Haris said the recycling initiative had diverted 229 tonnes of container waste from landfill.
“The collection points have been well received across Stadiums Queensland’s venues and it’s great to see our patrons getting strongly behind this initiative,” Mr Harris said.
“In 2023-24 we welcomed a record breaking 5.8 million people to our venues, and with tens of thousands of drinks consumed at each major event, that is a lot of containers that would otherwise have ended up in landfill.
“So far, the greenhouse benefits from this initiative at our venues is the equivalent of removing 289 cars from the roads.”
Natalie Roach, the Chief Executive Officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change, said Stadiums Queensland was making it easier to Queenslanders to recycle.
"Containers consumed out-of-home often end up as litter or landfill, but thanks to initiatives like this one driven by Stadiums Queensland millions of containers are being given a new life through recycling," Ms Roach said.
"With bins across the venues clearly marked to encourage container recycling, Stadiums Queensland are helping to ensure no container goes to waste."
Since Containers for Change launched in November 2018, Queenslanders have recycled more than 10 billion containers through the scheme.
This has put more than $1 billion in 10-cent refunds back into the Queensland community, including $17 million raised for charities and community groups.