COEX figures reveal that on average,the scheme only collected and recycled 61 per cent of cans and bottles sold in Queensland in the past financial year.Credit:Louise Kennerley
However,any mention of the “79 per cent” target,which was visible in March,has been wiped from COEX’s homepage.
COEX figures reveal that on average,the scheme only managed to collect and recycle 61 per cent of cans and bottles sold in Queensland in the past financial year.
That’s a difference of 522 million containers not being recycled through the 10¢ refund scheme – and $52.2 million not being returned to customers – with people buying and drinking from about 2.9 billion containers in Queensland over the past 12 months.
If Queenslanders managed to recycle 100 per cent of the bottles and cans they bought – a likely unachievable goal – they could pocket an extra $113 million when compared with the 61 per cent rate.
The 79 per cent target was displayed on the Container Exchange website in March 2021.Credit:Container Exchange
Under Queensland regulations,COEX is required to set and meet targets each financial year before reaching a government-mandated recovery rate of at least 85 per cent for the financial year starting July 1,2021.
Total Environment Centre director Jeff Angel criticised COEX for quietly dropping the 79 per cent target from its website.