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Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible for a refund. They're typically those drinks consumed outside of the home with the scheme encouraging the proper disposal of these containers. To see if your container is eligible for a refund, enter its barcode here or scan it on our app. 

Eligible containers in Queensland are consistent with the other container refund schemes operating across Australia. For more information on eligible containers registered by the State Government as eligible, please see here.

Look for the 10c mark on the drink container. If you're ever unsure, enter the container’s barcode into the container checker or scan it on our app and we'll let you know.

All containers smaller than 150ml and bigger than 3L are not eligible for a refund. Other ineligible containers include:

• plain milk containers,
• cask wine
• large containers (1L or more) which have contained flavoured milk, pure juice, cask wine or cask water,
• cordial or vegetable juice containers,
• wine sachets above 250ml,
• and registered health tonics.

For the full list of ineligible containers registered by the State Government, please see here. If your local council offers recycling, check with the council to see which containers can still be recycled through their kerbside collection service.

The container refund scheme aims to reduce beverage container litter in the environment. The containers eligible for a refund are those most commonly consumed outside of the home and so, are more likely to end up in the environment.

Some ineligible containers are difficult to process and recycle whether that be from the size of the container or the material it’s made from. Accepting these containers may increase scheme costs beyond a sustainable amount.

Don’t forget that most ineligible containers can still be recycled through local government recycling programs.

Materials collected and recycled through the scheme include:

• glass,
• polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic,
• high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic,
• aluminium,
• steel,
• liquid paperboard, and
• other plastics.

Good question! Containers should be empty and have their lids removed. Glass containers must be intact but other containers can be crushed by hand. However, if they look like they’ve been processed through machinery then the refund point operator may not accept them.

Containers don’t have to have labels if the refund point operator can recognise that the container is eligible. However, reverse vending machines (RVMs) need a barcode to scan and may not be able read the barcode of crushed containers. You can use the bag drop service if offered at the RVM sites to return those containers.

You don’t have to rinse your containers but the cleaner the better for storing them at home.

Containers returned through reverse vending machines will need a readable barcode so it can be scanned to be counted and to make sure the container is eligible.

You can return containers without barcodes or labels at any other refund point if the operator can recognise the container as eligible. Refund point operators may find it difficult to recognise containers as eligible if they’re not common products, so it’s up to the refund point operator whether they accept containers without labels or barcodes.

Container refund points in South East Queensland can now accept containers with lids on, thanks to improved processing technology. However, this isn’t yet the case everywhere. 

While lids seem harmless, they can pose a safety risk. If a container with its lid on is processed without the right equipment, the lid can shoot off and injure a worker or nearby customer. Refund points in South East Queensland have machines with spikes that perforate lids during processing, preventing them from becoming dangerous projectiles.

We’re trialling solutions to expand this capability to more locations, including remote and regional areas. Until then, for areas outside of South East Queensland, please contact your local depot directly to confirm their requirements.

Some refund point operators ask for your containers to be grouped by material type. It’s up to you whether you want to separate your containers before cashing in or wait until you get to the site; although, sorting as you collect may save you time at the refund point.