Noosa North Shore just got Queensland’s first Containers for Change bag drop in a national park, with every 10 cents going straight to supporting Cooloola Coast Care.
This pod is one of the new additions to improve waste and recycling in the Cooloola and Inskip Peninsula recreation areas, and it’s based at the Noosa North Shore transfer station.
Cooloola principal ranger Danielle Mansfield said, “Cooloola is proud to have this as a first at our park.“
“We hope everyone gets behind it and carries out what they carry in.“
Express Recycling Noosa site manager Dion Lawrence said, “The litter over here is quite an issue and I’m really hoping that this pod is going to go a long way to help that issue.“
For groups like Cooloola Coast Care, the benefits of reducing waste stretch beyond just a cleaner park, it’s about protecting wildlife.
Cooloola Coast Care president Lindy Orwin said, “For turtles, eating plastic ends up in death.“
“We have half a million campers come through here in a year. It’s a lot of people and they’re all here for a good time, so we hope they share their good time leftovers with us, and that will help the turtles.“
Rainbow Beach based Turtle Care member Jan Waters said there were 44 successful turtle nests in the region during the 2024-2025 season.
“It was a good year because there’s a bit more food out there for them, as the sea grass has grown back after being affected by floods.“
“During the turtle hatching season, from November to April, we ask campers to keep their lights off and not to drive on the beach during high tide.
“The statistics over the last 20 years say only one in 1000 sea turtle hatchlings make it to adulthood. So, if we can work to save even one nest, then why not?“
COEX chief executive officer Natalie Roach praised the project as a benchmark for others.
“As a first in Queensland, this really is a standout for Containers for Change,“ she said.
“It really sets the opportunity for other national parks to get on board to get even more containers recycled across the state.
“I’d also like to congratulate the the Express Recycling Group as they have just reached a milestone of over 500 million refunds through their container refund points. That’s a huge achievement. It’s put $5 million in 10 cent refunds back into the community they serve.“
Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said, “Dion and Josie at Express Recycling Noosa continue to fight to make real change in this space in the community and we’re so deeply appreciative.“
“We all know that litter has been an issue and this is an enormous and positive step to capture that.“
From 30 June 2025, all waste bins along Teewah Beach and at the Freshwater camping area will be relocated to two new transfer stations at Noosa North Shore and on Rainbow Beach Road.
Ms Mansfield said, “Having less bins near the camping areas will ensure a cleaner, nature-based holiday, a reduction in smells and less rubbish dumped in the dunes.”
“Our protected areas are not just destinations. They are living, breathing areas that our community love.
“By removing waste from the beach and donating their empties, people can ensure the Cooloola recreation area remains pristine for future generations.”
The new Noosa North Shore waste transfer station will also include large bins for solid waste and infrastructure for portable toilet waste. The waste transfer station on Freshwater Road (off Rainbow Beach Road) will take solid and recyclable waste.
Bins will continue to be available for Inskip campers at Sarawak West, M.V. Sarawak, M.V. Beagle, M.V. Natone and S.S. Dorrigo camping areas. Bins are not provided at Dorrigo South and Pelican Bay camping areas.
