Containers for Change

Containers for Change Queensland gives you the chance to receive a refund on eligible drink containers, while helping reduce litter and improve recycling across Hinchinbrook Shire. The program makes recycling easy, supports local jobs and community initiatives, and reduces the amount of recyclable material sent to landfill. 

How the program works 

You can receive a refund for most eligible drink containers, including: 

• aluminium cans 

• glass bottles 

• plastic bottles 

• steel drink containers 

Eligible containers can be returned to approved Containers for Change collection points to receive a refund. To address these issues, Council is supporting an alternative solution — Pay‑it‑Forward stations.

Why Containers for Change matters 

Recycling drink containers helps to: 

• reduce litter in streets, parks and waterways 

• increase recycling rates 

• support local employment 

• reduce valuable recyclables going to landfill 

Recycling in public spaces 

In public spaces, there is typically an expectation of both a red‑lidded general waste bin and a yellow‑lidded recycling bin. However, public‑space recycling can present challenges. 

Common issues include: 

• high contamination rates, causing recycling bins to be sent to landfill 

• damage to bins and safety risks from people ‘bin diving’ to retrieve 10‑cent containers 

• loss of recyclable containers, which can end up in landfill through both red and yellow bins