FAQs Consumer and Not-for-profits (NFPs)

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1 FAQs Consumer and Not-for-profits (NFPs) How do I become a Donation Point? The process for registering to become a Donation Point has not been finalised at this time. Organisations that are interested in operating a Donation Point are invited to Container Exchange at: enquiries@containerexchange.com.au with their organisations details to register their interest in becoming a Donation Point. What condition do my containers have to be in to be eligible? Containers must be empty (rinsing each container is not mandatory but it will help you to store them cleanly before returning them). Some Container Refund Points will require caps to be removed from bottles. If your container does not have a label it may not be recognised as an eligible container by a reverse vending machine and you will need to take these to a Container Refund Point or Donation Point. Crushed eligible cans or plastic bottles can be returned to a Container Refund Point or Donation Point, providing that they can be recognised as being an eligible container. For safety reasons, glass bottles need to be whole and intact. Please note that some reverse vending machines are unable to identify the barcode on a crushed can or bottle so these should be taken to a Container Refund Point or Donation Point instead. Will the Scheme affect the price of the beverages I buy? Beverage manufacturers that sell beverages in eligible containers will be required to fund the cost of the Scheme, including the refund amounts paid as well as operating costs such as costs associated with collecting, sorting, counting and transporting collected materials. To cover their costs, beverage manufacturers may choose to increase the price of their products to retailers. This will be a decision for each beverage manufacturer individually. Members of the public will have the opportunity to recoup part of any price increases by exchanging containers for the 10 cent refund.

2 Can I choose to donate my eligible container for someone else to collect the refund? Yes. You can collect the refund yourself or choose to donate it to a donation point run by a participating community group, not-for-profit, school or charity to help them raise funds. Container Refund Points may also provide the opportunity for you to donate your refund amount to a community group, not-for-profit, school or charity that they have partnered with. What is a reverse vending machine and how do I use it? A reverse vending machine is a machine where you can return empty eligible containers such as bottles and cans for recycling. When you insert your empty containers into the chute at the front of the machine, it will scan your container to ensure it is eligible for a refund. When you ve finished depositing the containers, the reverse vending machine will issue the refund. Some reverse vending machines provide customers with a choice of how to receive the refund (e.g. by EFT transfer, as a voucher, or donation to a partner charity or community group). Do I need to remove lids from containers before taking them to the Container Refund Point? It is Container Exchange s preference that lids are removed from beverage containers before taking them to a Container Refund Point. Removing the lids will aid with the crushing of containers at processing facilities, and will provide the following benefits: Plastic tops are usually a different plastic than the bottle, separating the plastics supports a better recycling outcome due to less contamination Leaving tops on containers can cause problems with transport and storage.

3 Do I have to sort my containers before taking them to a Container Refund Point or Donation Point? No. There is no obligation for you to sort containers before taking them to a Container Refund Point, although there may be some time-saving benefits if you do. Sorting and counting your containers into the various material types such as the different plastics, glass, aluminium and cartons and making a written note of the number of each container type may save time at the Container Refund Point. The only variation to the above is that when using reverse vending machines you may need to sort your containers by material type. Reverse vending machines often have different chutes for different material types typically glass and non-glass materials. Can a Container Refund Point refuse to take my containers? Yes. There are several reasons why a Container Refund Point operator may refuse to accept your containers, including because: They are contaminated (i.e. contain sand or dirt, paint, petrol, noxious substances etc.) The container is not recognisable as an eligible container (i.e. crushed beyond recognition or broken in the case of glass) The container is not eligible under the Scheme The Container Refund Point operator has reason to believe the container has been purchased interstate The Container Refund Point operator has reason to believe the container has already been redeemed or has been deposited from any kerbside recycling operator If a person refuses to complete a declaration when asked to do so by the Container Refund Point. Furthermore, some smaller Container Refund Points may not be able to process large volumes of containers.

4 What about eligible containers that I choose to put in my kerbside recycling bin who receives the refund on those? Any eligible containers placed in kerbside recycling bins will be redeemed by the kerbside recycling operator (usually on behalf of the local council). Can community groups and social enterprises use the Scheme as a fundraising opportunity? The Government is encouraging community groups and social enterprises to participate in the CRS. Organisations such as school P&C associations, community groups, sporting clubs, charities and not for-profits can collect containers and return them in bulk to collect the appropriate refund, and contribute to the environmental objectives of the CRS at the same time. [NFPs] How can our community group or social enterprise get involved? Organisations can choose to participate in the Scheme in a way that suits them. Becoming a Donation Point may suit organisations that have year-round contact with a large community of members and who themselves retail eligible drink containers (e.g. a school or sporting club). A Donation Point is where members of their community can drop off eligible containers, equivalent to a 10 cent donation to the organisation. Smaller organisations or those who have more sporadic contact with their membership base may wish to run container collection drives at set times during the year which will encourage members and the wider community to donate eligible containers as a shortterm fundraising activity. Mobile collection cages will be available for hire from your local Container Refund Point. [NFPs]

5 Does my container need to have a label or barcode in order for me to return it? If you choose to return your container to a reverse vending machine, then your container will need to have a barcode. The reverse vending machine will read the barcode to ensure the container is eligible to be returned. If you return your container to any other type of Container Refund Point, then your container must be visually recognisable as an eligible container, which includes that it must be a registered product for the purpose of the Scheme. Whether a label is required for this purpose will depend on the product design. Acceptance of products without labels will be at the discretion of the Container Refund Point. Can I return all container material types at all locations? Container Refund Points are required to collect all eligible containers. Reverse vending machines may not accept glass but are required to identify the nearest location for glass collection. Donation Points may choose not to collect certain types of materials for safety reasons. For example, a school may choose not to collect glass containers due to potential safety risks. [NFPs] When and how will Container Exchange communicate regarding the Container Refund Scheme to the community? Prior to the Scheme s commencement date, Container Exchange, in partnership with the Queensland Government, will undertake an extensive marketing and community awareness campaign. The marketing and community awareness campaign will include both print and online advertising and community education. The Scheme branding is currently being developed with creative agencies by Container Exchange in close consultation with the Department of Environment and Science.