Tips to help millennials and Gen Z prioritise recycling
Our latest research* has shown those consumers aged between 19-39 (millennials and Gen Z, we’re looking at you) are almost half as likely to participate in Containers for Change than those in any other age bracket.
If this is you, you’re probably thinking about all the reasons for not recycling your containers – don’t have time, too hard basket or recycling is less rewarding than binge-watching your favourite show, again.
The good news is we’re here to help make bottle and can recycling easier for you! Get ready to spice up your life with these container recycling tips.
1. Living that apartment life
If you call metro Queensland home (Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast), you likely live in an apartment.
Our research tells us that people who live in apartments are almost half as likely to participate in Containers for Change compared to those living in a separate house.
We get it – you’ve barely got enough room to store your treasured belongings (like your vintage Nintendo64 and your emotional support plants), let alone create a space to store your empty containers.
Then you add flatmates and their weird collections into the mix and you’re one step away from joining an episode of Hoarders.
Because you’re an environmentally conscious citizen, we know you already have a spot set up in the corner or under the sink for your general recycling so all you need to do is set up a separate bag, box or bucket to collect the empties – simples!
2. Make recycling your problem to solve
You’re either busy hustling or socialising with friends – there’s nothing wrong with that but container recycling is actually one of the easiest ways to do your bit for the planet and earn a bit of coin to fund your avocado toast addiction.
If you’re reading this article, you are the chosen one and container recycling is now your responsibility. We appoint you the Container Collection Captain and it’s your job to take the lead on how to set up a container recycling station and form good recycling habits at home.
Here’s our top tips for getting started:
- Visit our website and sign up for a member number. You can find out more about signing up here.
- Call a flatmate (or family) meeting and have ‘the talk’. Explain what you’re doing and have a discussion on where the refund could go. You're not about to discuss whose turn it is to buy groceries. Instead, discuss where the refund should go. Toilet paper fund? Charity? You decide (see point 4).
- Give a tour of your fancy new recycling bin. Point. Explain. Demonstrate.
- Leave passive aggressive notes around the apartment reminding flatmates or family members to put empties into this bin (give them a little rinse first so they don’t attract ants… because that’s how we get ants).
3. Location and convenience
We know you’re a time poor bunch or perhaps don’t have suitable transport to get to a refund point.
We have a solution for that!
Not only do we have lots of refund point options in metro areas to return your containers, we also offer a FREE home collection service.
Yep, that’s right - we’ll come to you and collect your eligible containers. All you have to do is bundle them up, add your member number and make the booking through our app or website. Read our handy tips for using our home pick up service here.
If you own your apartment and you’re a member of your body corporate, we’d recommend you sign up for our apartments program where we do all the work for you.
Interested in registering your apartment complex? Complete this form and our friendly team will be in touch.
TIP: Spend more time in the office than at home? Start a collection bin in your office building! Be sure to connect with the operator within your local area to see how they can help out with collections.
4. Getting to the heart of it
We know millennials and Gen Z are a giving bunch who care a lot about protecting the environment and the world around them.
If you aren’t motivated by receiving the 10 cent refund for yourself, you might like to collect for a cause you care about and donate the refund instead.
There are over 6000(!) charities registered with Containers for Change who are using container refunds to help boost their important fundraising work.
Community groups and charities like Hearts of Purple and Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation are all using container refunds and donations to help them keep going with the important work they’re doing in their local communities.
Donating the refund from your empties is a really simple way to give back without having to dive into your pockets, especially when times are tough (HECS indexation, amirite?).
Container recycling is addictive – once you start you can’t stop. Like any new habit, the hardest part is just getting started so we hope these tips have given you the helping hand you need.
Remember, the power is yours!
*Conducted by Footprints Market Research Oct-Nov 22
Getting started is as easy as 1, 2, 3
When you recycle with Containers for Change, you get a 10 cent refund for every eligible container you return.
Find a container refund point near you
Get started on your container collection journey by finding your closest refund point.