Townsville Brothers raises phenomenal amount through simple initiative

A whopping $19,000 has been raised for Townsville Brothers Junior Rugby League through their major partner's participation in Containers for Change.

By Brothers Leagues Club simply converting their used containers into cash - saving the environment in the process - the funds generated have helped the future generation play the greatest game of all in the rugby league heartland.

Leagues Club chief executive officer Justin Wilkins said a simple phone call to a local recycling company helped spark the idea to donate their profits to their junior club through Containers for Change.

"When the scheme first came into existence, we contacted Reef Logistics about recycling our containers through them and they advised if the funds were to go to a not-for-profit or charitable organisation, they would provide the bins and collect free-of-charge; so we chose Brothers Junior Rugby League as our recipients," Wilkins said.

"To date, we have raised just over $19,000 through the scheme."

With every eligible drink container recycled earning 10 cents for the junior club, the funds quickly totalled up; given the significant amount of cans and bottles at junior and senior fixtures played at Jack Manski Oval - home of Townsville Brothers.

The junior club that saw Queensland Maroons legends such as Sam Thaiday, Michael Morgan and Aiden Guerra wear the butcher's stripes in their youth also encouraged their parents and supporters to visit their Leagues Club and help the cause.

"We advised the president of Brothers RLFC that the juniors are receiving all of the funding and he informed his committee, who are very appreciative of this additional revenue for the club," Wilkins said.

To participate in the initiative, it's as simple as signing up for a scheme ID, collecting eligible containers, taking them to a container refund point and earning a refund for your local club.

Club volunteers, parents and fans can even choose to donate the profits from their empty drink containers to any local club who have registered with Containers for Change.

"Yes [I] definitely [recommend it]. It's easy income for your club and you are helping the planet," Wilkins said.

To find out more, check out the Containers for Change toolkit on the QRL Clubhouse to help start your fundraising journey.

Containers for Change has a strategic target that 85 percent of all containers sold into Queensland are recycled by 2022. After a short decrease in volumes when the COVID- 19 pandemic hit, collections have bounced back strongly.