While many local residents are throwing their empty plastic, aluminium or glass containers into their yellow bin, those savvy enough to earn a bit of money through their recycling efforts are taking them to a local Containers for Change Depot and receiving 10 cents for every eligible drink bottle.
Paddy Ward, Manager of Anything Environmental in Proserpine and Jubilee, said that this is an excellent way for local youth to make some pocket money while helping the environment along the way.
“We have one kid who brings bottles in, and he has made $12,000 over the last three or four years!” said Mr Ward.
“It’s a great way for kids to earn pocket money – they can make some serious dollars!”
The process is simple – purchase a drink, consume your beverage, wash it out, throw the lid in the bin and add the empty bottle to your collection, then head to your nearest depot and cash them in.
Residents can drop containers off 24 hours a day by setting up an account at containersforchange.com.au.
You can drop off your bottles any time of day and you will be issued with a scheme number in a Ziplock container. The items will be counted, and the money deposited straight into your bank account.
Processing up to 30,000 units per day at each site, Anything Environmental regularly service 50 walk-in customers a day and look after 40 business customers.
There are also 11 Community Drop and Go bin sites over the Mackay and Whitsunday regions.
Able to service a multitude of commercial clients from pubs to restaurants, hotels to boats, islands resorts and gyms – Anything Environmental offer a pick-up service from any local business.
“Just give us a call and we can come round, take a look at the site and ascertain the best way to approach it,” said Mr Ward.
Eligible Containers (Please place green tick here)
• Carbonated soft drink cans and bottles (under 3 litres)
• Beer, cider, ale cans and bottles (under 3 litres)
• Pre-mix spirits (under 3 litres)
• Fruit or vegetable juice (100% pure only no concentrates)
• Flavoured milk under 1 litre
Ineligible Containers (Please place red cross here)
• No milk bottles as they are categorised ‘farming’
• No wine bottles as they are categorised ‘farming’
• No spirit bottles as they are considered concentrate
Locations
Proserpine – 61 Hinschen Street
Jubilee Pocket – rear carpark of Jubilee Tavern
Bowen – 56 Gregory Street
Jonathon Whitehead, Luke Ronis, Trish Dermott and Paddy Ward