10-cent refunds
Eligible Queensland drink containers can earn a refund.
Containers for Change
How the Containers for Change scheme works
Queensland's Containers for Change scheme gives people, businesses and community groups a 10-cent refund for eligible drink containers while helping recover valuable materials for recycling. Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange is an authorised refund point for North Brisbane customers.
Authorised local refund point
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange operates within the official scheme.
Multiple return options
Use the depot, Bag Drop or supported programs.
Materials recovered
Returned containers move into approved recycling pathways.
What is Containers for Change?
Containers for Change is the public name for Queensland's container refund scheme. It is all about reducing litter and increasing recycling rates by offering a 10-cent refund for every eligible beverage container returned through an authorised refund point. Returned containers then move into recycling pathways for new materials and products.
When did Containers for Change start?
The scheme launched in Queensland on 1 November 2018. Since then, refund points across the state have helped households, schools, community groups and businesses return eligible containers instead of sending them to general waste.
Why did Queensland introduce a container refund scheme?
The container refund scheme was introduced to encourage Queenslanders to recycle eligible drink containers and help clean up the state. Before the scheme began, drink containers were one of the most commonly littered items in Queensland, and the state's recycling rate was low compared with where it needed to be.
Is Containers for Change run by the government?
No. Containers for Change is a Queensland Government initiative, but it is not managed day to day by the government. Container Exchange, known as COEX, is the not-for-profit organisation appointed to manage the scheme.
Who funds Containers for Change?
The scheme is funded by beverage manufacturers who sell eligible containers in Queensland. Each manufacturer contributes to the cost of refunding, collecting and recovering containers, taking responsibility for reducing the impact of their packaging.
Why is the refund amount 10 cents?
The 10-cent refund is the current amount set out in Queensland legislation. It also aligns with container refund schemes in other Australian states and territories, making the value easy for customers to understand.
The scheme in five simple steps
From empty container to recovered material.
- 1
Buy an eligible drink
Look for eligible containers that are part of the Queensland scheme.
- 2
Collect the empty container
Keep cans, bottles and cartons separate from general waste where you can.
- 3
Return it through an approved option
Use an authorised refund point or approved return option.
- 4
Receive or donate the refund
Choose cash where available, electronic payment or donation.
- 5
Material is recovered
Returned containers move through approved sorting, processing and recycling pathways.
Sandgate return options
How you can return containers with Sandgate
Different authorised refund points across Queensland may offer different return methods. At Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange, the practical choices are in-store returns, 24/7 Bag Drop, commercial collections and school or fundraising support.
Return in-store
Bring eligible containers to the Sandgate depot for machine or team-assisted returns.
Return in-store
24/7 Bag Drop
Drop clearly labelled bags at one of Sandgate's approved Bag Drop locations.
Explore Bag Drop
Commercial Collections
Get collection support for workplaces, venues and organisations with regular container volumes.
Commercial collections
Schools & Fundraising
Turn eligible containers into fundraising support for schools, clubs, charities and community groups.
Schools programSandgate's role
What does an Authorised Containers for Change Refund Point do?
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange operates within the official Queensland scheme. Our role is to make the scheme practical locally: accept eligible drink containers, process refunds, support Member Numbers, operate approved Bag Drop locations and help schools, charities, community groups and businesses return containers with less friction.
Accept eligible containers
Our depot and supported programs help customers return containers that are part of the Queensland scheme.
Process refunds and Member Numbers
We support the refund pathway you choose, including Member Number payments for electronic refunds.
Support local programs
We help schools, charities, community groups and commercial partners participate through suitable return options.
Follow the container journey
How returned containers move through the wider recovery system.
After containers are returned, they continue through the official Containers for Change recycling network before recovered material becomes new containers or other products.
Ready to start returning?
Bring your eligible containers to Sandgate.
Use our Sandgate depot, one of our 24/7 Bag Drops or collection support for your organisation.