There are a few easy ways to return your eligible containers and collect your 10c refund. Each refund point is a little different, read below so you can choose what suits you best
Cash-Back Depot
Depots are large, staffed recycling centres where our team is ready to help.
They’re built for all return sizes from a few containers to carloads. With walk-in, drive-through, fast-counting, or material-counting services, depots make recycling quick and efficient. They never fill up, so there’s no need to book ahead. Get instant cash, electronic refunds via bank account or choose to donate all at one convenient location plus a smile.
Bag Drop
Bag Drops let recycling fit easily into your day. Pre-register once for a Containers for Change Scheme ID and you're ready to go.
How it works
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Bag it: Put your eligible containers into durable bags (regular kitchen tidy bags work perfectly).
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Label it: Label your bags with your scheme ID.
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Drop it: Leave your bags at an Bag Drop location.
We’ll collect and count your containers at our depot, and your account will be credited within a few days. Easy.
Collection Service - ReCollect
We pick up eligible containers straight from your home or business and return them for cash on your behalf. No trips. No sorting stress. No wasted refunds.
Perfect for homes, offices, cafés, and commercial spaces, ReCollect works seamlessly alongside your existing recycling program, just smarter.
For businesses, that means:
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Offsetting operating costs
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Donating refunds to charity
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Funding staff perks or office celebrations
Still have questions?
In Queensland, all containers can be returned for a refund, except for broken glass. Crushed or damaged containers will receive the full deposit fee refund, as long as they are eligible for return under the container deposit scheme. Broken glass cannot be safely handled and recycled, so it cannot be returned for a refund
At a Fast-Counting Depot, simply pour all your containers onto the belt and let the machine do the work. Your containers are counted in record time, no sorting required.
You can find a full list of services offered at each depot on their locations page.
The Bag, Drop and Go Pods do not dispense cash.
To get your refund, sign up on the Containers for Change website by creating a profile with your address and bank information. Once registered, you can use your mobile phone as your identifier at any Return-It when cashing out your refund.
Bag Drops are for small to medium quantities, with most depots taking drop offs, and a number of drop off only locations. Simply bring your eligible containers in a clear plastic bag, labelled with your Containers for Change number, and choose your refund method (donate to charity or credit your online account)
Typically, it can take up to 10 business days for the refund to appear in your bank account after returning containers through a bag drop. However, processing times can vary depending on the volume of returns, so it is recommended to check with the Redemption Center or Bottle Depot for a more accurate estimate. You can also check your account balance or contact Return-It for more information about the status of your refund.
1 bag with at least 150 containers. If you have smaller bags please have around 150 containers
You don’t have to be home. Just have your bags placed in your secure location by 8 am and directions filled out for the driver in the comments section.
We also don’t need anything sorted. We do need containers to be placed in big garbage bags (no boxes!) for your first pickup
Typically, within 48 hours from time of pickup.