Container deposit scheme for Qld?

It's high time for Queenslanders to consider a container deposit scheme, the state government says.

Environment Minister Steven Miles was inspired to set up the panel after being mailed a rubbish bag of containers collected by a concerned Ipswich couple from their local creek.

"Across the community there is significant support for such a scheme," Dr Miles told parliament.

"There has never actually been a public discussion on container deposits in Queensland and it's high time that there was."

A container deposit scheme gives a cash refund to people for each container they recycle.

The advisory group will report back to the minister later this year.

The move could reduce plastic pollution in Queensland, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

"Plastic pollution travels easily from land to sea," spokeswoman Fiona Maxwell said.

"Once in the ocean, it slowly breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces which are eaten by a range of animals like seabirds and turtles."

Ms Maxwell said a cash for containers scheme was supported by 85 per cent of Queenslanders, according to a January poll on the issue.

South Australia and the Northern Territory already have container deposit schemes and the NSW government is committed to introducing one by July 2017.