What if your rubbish could pay for your monthly streaming subscription, or your morning coffee? For thousands of savvy Aussies, it already does, but for many more, its money slipping straight through their fingers.
Queenslanders are missing out on a staggering $100 million in unclaimed 10-cent refunds from the state’s container refund scheme, Containers for Change, with more than 1 billion eligible drink containers still ending up in landfill each year.
For Sunshine Coast local Amy Coulston, those containers aren’t waste, they’re income.
The 25-year-old, who’s gained a following for her money-saving hacks, has quietly earned more than $420 by collecting and returning empty containers, and her clever side hustle is now going viral.
“It felt so silly to me to just throw money in the garbage, especially when I do so many other side hustles – it was a no brainer to start collecting containers,’” Amy said.
“Pick one small bill, your Netflix subscription, or even something like a weekly sweet treat, and make it your goal to pay for it completely from collecting cans on your daily walks. Such a satisfying feeling knowing you’ve literally paid for it with trash.
“It adds up so much quicker than you think, especially for those with big families. Try it out for a month and see how it goes! If it’s not for you, offer them up to your friends and family, it earns them a bit of money, and you’re keeping more rubbish out of the environment, such a win-win.”
Amy’s container cash has gone toward small luxuries like a matcha set for her kitchen, and her TikTok series ‘Trashy Treats’ has inspired tens of thousands of followers to do the same.
Many commenters agree they now cover bills, streaming subscriptions, and even their kids’ pocket money with container refunds.
Now, a new campaign is encouraging even more Queenslanders to follow Amy’s lead.
Bincoin, launched by Container Exchange (COEX), the not-for-profit organisation that runs Containers for Change in Queensland, rebrands eligible containers as an everyday currency, one that’s already in your fridge, your car and your bin.
From today, Bincoin is rolling out across Queensland to help more people turn their empties into earnings, just like Amy. Your Bincoin can be tracked in the Containers for Change app (no crypto wallet required).
Media Contact:
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e | media@containerexchange.com.au
