2023 CHANGE MAKER AWARDS
Our annual Change Maker Awards shine a light on the incredible individuals and organisations creating real change through Containers for Change.
We received over 700 entries this year, highlighting just how incredible and far-reaching the impacts of Containers for Change are.
A huge congratulations to all of our winners and finalists announced at this year’s awards - Check them out below!
2023 AWARD CATEGORIES
This year’s awards were our biggest yet!
Our categories with winners and finalists for the 2023 Awards are:
Charity/Community Group of the Year
Hearts of Purple - WINNER
Coppabella State School
Isisford Recycling Program
Mission Beach Wildcare Inc.
Substation 33
Tanduringie State School P&C
Young Change Maker of the Year
Holly & Charli Garrity - WINNER
Hudson Magee - WINNER
Karen Messmer
Owen Harris
Sustainable Beverage Manufacturer of the Year
Mount Warning Beverage Company - WINNER
Wild Ones Beverages
Young Henry's Brewing
Impact Community Services, Bundaberg - WINNER
Outwest Container Exchange, Longreach
Recycle Well, Sarina
Rosedale Hardware, Rosedale
Return 'Em for Cash - WINNER
ABC Recycling, Bundaberg
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, Kingaroy
Container Refund, Gracemere & Park Avenue
Exchange Shed
Reef Recycling & Logistics - WINNER
Advanced Container Recyclers
CQ Recycling
Express Recycling
MAMS Group
Anything Environmental, Paget - WINNER
Advanced Container Recyclers, Capalaba
The Bottle Community, Warana
North Queensland Green Solutions, Ayr
Refund Point Employee of the Year
Rhys Cobbo - Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, Kingaroy - WINNER
Joshua Scott - Charters Towers Recycling Centre, Charters Towers
Liam Smith - Reef Recycling & Logistics, Bohle
Russell Dodds - Return-It, Gatton
Slade Aldridge - MAMS Group, Innisfail
WINNER - Hearts of Purple
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Charity/Community Group of the Year
This award celebrates the Queensland charities and community groups who use small change from container refunds to make big change for important causes.
Young Change Maker of the Year
Inspirational young Queenslanders (aged under 18 years) who are using Containers for Change to benefit their community, the environment or a charity will be recognised with this award.
People's Choice Award
This award recognises Queensland's best refund points. Queenslanders were asked to vote for their favourite refund point and share their outstanding efforts with Queensland.
Sustainable Beverage Manufacturer of the Year
For the first time this year, we recognised beverage manufacturers that are using sustainable manufacturing processes of measures to make a positive impact or change in their communities.
Operator awards
Read our FAQs and judging criteria to find out more about the operator awards.
Operator of the Year awards
This year, we will be recognising one ‘Small Operator of the Year’, one ‘Medium Operator of the Year’ and one ‘Large Operator of the Year’.
All nominations will be assigned to the appropriate category depending on collection volumes.
Refund Point Employee of the Year
For the first time in 2023, we will be recognising Queensland’s most exceptional refund point employee of the year.
Refund point operators were asked to nominate an employee who has contributed to the success of their business and Containers for Change more broadly.
Change Maker of the Year Award
We will award one top prize to the person or business we feel has made the biggest impact on their community, the environment or charity through Containers for Change.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
Looking for inspiration? Curious to know who our previous winners were? See our highlights video and read our media release to find out more about the inspirational people who were honoured at the 2021 awards.
GOT QUESTIONS? CHECK OUT OUR FAQS.
Can't find what you're looking for? Email [email protected] for help.