May 2019
Trading since
Our Story
A local family business built around container returns.
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange has helped North Brisbane households, businesses, schools and community groups return eligible drink containers since May 2019.
81 Kempster Street
Based in Sandgate
North Brisbane
Local service focus
Family owned
Operated by a local team
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange was created to make container returns easier and more practical for the people who live, work and learn across North Brisbane.
The business is family owned and operated, with a family connection to the area stretching back nearly 150 years. The team grew up locally, went to local schools and continues to work with people who know the community from the inside.
Why we started
A practical local place to return containers.
Container refunds work best when returning eligible bottles and cans feels simple enough to become a habit. Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange gives local residents a clear Containers for Change Sandgate refund point, a familiar team and supported return options close to home.
From the beginning, the aim has been practical: help households, schools, community causes and businesses recover refunds while keeping more containers out of local streets, parks and waterways.
Growth
How the business has grown.
What began as a small local refund point has grown into an award-recognised Containers for Change North Brisbane operator, while staying connected to the community it was built to serve.
- May 2019
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange opens
A family-owned Containers for Change refund point opens at 81 Kempster Street, Sandgate, with the aim of making North Brisbane container recycling easy and practical for the local community.
- 2026
Medium Operator of the Year
The Containers for Change Change Maker Awards certificate names Sandgate Bottles and Cans as the 2026 Medium Operator of the Year winner.
Recognition
Recognition we're proud to share.
Awards have never been the reason we do what we do, but we are proud when the work of our team and community is recognised.
The award certificate shown here names Sandgate Bottles and Cans as the 2026 Medium Operator of the Year winner at the Containers for Change Change Maker Awards.
We share that recognition with the local team and the households, businesses, schools and community groups that use our return and collection pathways.
Medium Operator of the Year
Containers for Change Change Maker Awards
Winner status, category, year and business name are shown on the supplied award certificate pictured above.
Still local
Growth has not changed the local service approach.
Customers still deal with a local team. The people helping at the depot and across collection programs have deep ties to the area and understand the everyday questions that come with returning containers.
That local knowledge matters whether someone is using the Return In-Store machines, choosing Drop & Go, organising a school program, collecting for a cause or planning a larger commercial setup.
Our aim is to keep the area we grew up in clean and container free for the next generation.
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange
Today
What we do today.
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange now supports everyday in-store returns, 24/7 Bag Drop locations, commercial container collection programs, school collection programs and fundraising pathways without trying to make every customer use the same approach.
Return In-Store Use six automated machines and complete your return while you are here. Drop & Go Leave your containers with our team during depot hours. 24/7 Bag Drop Labelled bag returns outside depot hours. Schools Collection Program Collection support for schools and education providers. Fundraising Container refund pathways for clubs, charities and local causes. Commercial Collections Collection programs for workplaces, venues and organisations.
Come and see what local container returns can feel like.
Visit our Sandgate refund point, explore our return options or speak with our team about a collection program.