After a 12-month hiatus, Containers for Change is back on Magnetic Island from next week thanks to a new agreement between new operator COEX and Townsville City Council.
The one-year agreement is expected to see almost 3 million containers returned on the island, putting money back in the pockets of residents, local charities and community organisations.
The arrangement will see COEX lease a site at the entrance of the Magnetic Island Transfer Station, while a container deposit facility at Horseshoe Bay will be also installed in the coming months.
It comes after the former container exchange operator ceased service on Magnetic Island in 2025, with Council to reinvest COEX’s lease payments into circular economy projects on the island.
Mayor Nick Dametto said the arrangement was a huge win for the island community, which had a strong track record of environmental stewardship.
“Magnetic Island residents are some of Townsville’s best recyclers so it’s fitting the new depot will open during National Recycling Week,” Cr Dametto said.
“We know island residents were disappointed when the former operator closed last year, so it’s great to see Containers for Change returning with a reliable, convenient solution for the community.
“Residents will soon be able to access both the new exchange depot at the Magnetic Island Transfer Station and a container deposit facility at Horseshoe Bay.”
Last year, Townsville residents recycled more than 90 million containers through Containers for Change, and almost 650 million containers since the program began eight years ago.
Trevor Evans, CEO at COEX thanked Townsville City Council for their support of the scheme and its expansion on the island.
“The people of Magnetic Island are passionate recyclers who are committed to keeping containers out of landfill and using the 10-cent refund to raise funds for important local causes,” Mr Evans said.
“We thank the Townsville City Council for helping provide this important service to the island and look forward to the environmental, social and economic benefits it will deliver.”
Councillor Dametto said the COEX facility would be accessible to the community at the front of the waste facility, with Council opting to move the overflow, large items from the Tip Shop to another location within the facility.
“We’re committed to diverting more waste from landfill, so it was important we found a solution that allowed both services to operate from the one site,” he said.
“This arrangement means residents can continue using the Tip Shop while gaining access to a convenient new Containers for Change depot.”
