Containers For Change – Zunker Street in Burnett Heads
It was one of those warm, sunny Saturdays where the kids had energy to burn and we needed something productive to do. With two enthusiastic children under ten bouncing around the house, we decided it was time to tackle something we’d been meaning to do all year—recycle our growing stash of bottles.
For months, we’d been saving our glass and plastic containers, knowing that one day they’d be worth more than just space in the yellow bin. The kids were well aware too—ever since they learned they could earn 10 cents per bottle, they’d been setting their own aside with the excitement only pocket money can bring.
Thanks to the Containers for Change initiative, families like ours are not only encouraged to recycle, but rewarded for it. It’s a brilliant program that teaches kids (and adults) the value of sustainability in a very tangible way.
With our trailer loaded and rattling full of bottles, we headed down to Zunker Street in Burnett Heads. Tucked between the River Culture Seafood and Grill and the local Post Office is the CQ Recycling Reverse Vending Machine (RVM)—a permanent fixture and, as we soon discovered, a surprisingly satisfying way to spend a Saturday.
We brought along a crate for the kids to stand on, and turned the job into a mini production line. One by one, the bottles went in, the machine gave its satisfying beep, and the tally began to climb. Watching the numbers go up was like watching a slot machine (except greener and more educational).
By the end of our session, the kids had earned themselves a nice bit of pocket money and learned a thing or two about recycling and responsibility. They were proud. We were proud. And our garage was definitely cleaner.
A Few Things You Should Know Before You Go:
Sign Up First – If you’re using an RVM and want the money transferred to your bank account, you’ll need to register as a member on the Containers for Change website. Otherwise, your refund can be donated to one of the many charities supported through the program.
Keep the Labels On – Containers must have a visible label and barcode or they won’t be accepted by the machine.
Other Options – Prefer cash? You can head to one of the local depots, like the one at 78 University Drive, Bundaberg, where staff sort and pay you on the spot.
What You Can (and Can’t) Return:
Eligible containers are usually marked with “10c refund at collection depots/points in participating State/Territory of purchase.” They include: Aluminium, plastic, glass, steel and liquid paperboard containers;
Sizes between 150ml and 3L
Ineligible items include: Milk containers, wine bottles, cask wine bladders, sachets, coffee cups, and cordial bottles.
All collected containers are sorted and sent off to begin their next life—melted, remoulded and reborn as new packaging.
It’s not every day you can entertain your kids, clear out your recyclables, and walk away with a little reward. But thanks to Containers for Change, our sunny Saturday turned into something a bit more meaningful—and a whole lot more fun.
August 2025