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Looking for a sustainable way to raise funds for your cause?

Looking for a sustainable way to raise funds for your cause? Container Exchange (COEX) offers eligible charities, community organisations, social enterprises and local government the opportunity to host a reverse vending machine (RVM) and earn a handling fee for every container processed at your site — with no upfront equipment costs.

Queenslanders can also choose to donate their 10-cent refund directly to your organisation, turning everyday recycling into meaningful support for your community.

COEX does the heavy lifting — including technical maintenance, servicing and logistics — so you can focus on what matters most. The program is currently available in South East Queensland only.

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Frequently asked questions

Topics

What is the asset hire program?

Through this program, organisations in South East Queensland can hire Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) from COEX to run their own container refund points – without the need to purchase the equipment.

The program is available to two types of organisations:

  • Eligible commercial operators – whether existing operators and new commercial entities – who want to expand their footprint without the significant upfront capital investment of purchasing an RVM.
  • Not-for-profit organisations, charities, local government, community groups and social enterprises can host and operate an RVM as a sustainable fundraising mechanism, raising money for their cause while helping Queensland reach its container recovery targets.

In both cases, COEX retains ownership of the asset, and the program is available in South East Queensland only.

Why is COEX introducing this program?

COEX is committed to expanding Queensland’s Containers for Change network to increase its impact, reduce the number of containers going to landfill and make the scheme more accessible to more Queenslanders.

The asset hire program directly supports this by:

  • Reducing the capital barrier to entry, opening the scheme to organisations that may not be able to afford to purchase an RVM,
  • Expanding the network into locations that are not currently serviced, such as community spaces, sporting clubs and local venues – close to where people live, work and play,
  • Creating fundraising opportunities for not-for-profit and community organisations,
  • Providing growth pathways for eligible small and medium commercial operators who want to expand and grow their impact.
Who is eligible to participate?

All applicants must be able to operate within South East Queensland.

Commercial program

  • Current operators* who claimed combined fees for no more than 30 million containers across all CRPs in the previous financial year.
  • New operators* who are not currently a participant in the scheme and who report an annual turnover of less than $2.5m in the previous financial year.

*Including any subsidiary, holding company or ultimate holding company

Community program

  • Registered charities, not-for-profits, local governments, community groups and accredited social enterprises. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their community, government, social enterprise or charitable status
What qualifies as South East Queensland?

South East Queensland is defined as the following local government areas:

  • Brisbane City Council
  • City of Ipswich
  • City of Logan
  • City of Moreton Bay
  • Redland City
  • City of Gold Coast
  • Sunshine Coast Regional Council
  • Noosa Shire Council

Please note this does not include islands in Moreton Bay accessible by ferry only.

All sites are subject to our existing CRP application criteria.

Do I need to own the site, or can I be leasing it?

You do not need to own the site. However, you need to demonstrate that you have the right to operate from the location for a sufficient period (two years for community, five years for commercial) to make the arrangement viable. If you are leasing, you need your landlord’s permission to host an RVM on the premises.

What do I need on my site?

Your site must meet specific requirements before an RVM can be installed. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Access to power or ability to use an off-grid solar option
  • Internet connectivity
  • A flat surface
  • Sufficient space for logistics trucks to empty the RVM.

COEX will complete a site inspection as part of the application process to confirm suitability. All sites are subject to eligibility criteria.

View full CRP application criteria or contact our Expansion Team for more information.

How long does installation take?

The timeframe from application approval to RVM installation depends on asset availability, site readiness, local government development approval and mobilisation scheduling. COEX’s Mobilisation team will work with your organisation on a timeline once your application is approved.

What if I need to relocate the asset during the hire period?

Any relocation would require a new site application and assessment.

What insurance requirements apply?

All participants must meet COEX’s standard insurance requirements specified in the Container Collection Agreement which apply to all container refund point operators, including:

  • public and products liability insurance; and
  • workers compensation insurance.

Participants must also have appropriate insurance coverage for the asset.

Where do collected containers go once they are collected?

Containers are collected by our logistics partner and transported to a secondary sort facility, where they are sorted by material type, then taken to a processing facility and sold onto approved recyclers to be turned into new containers or other products.

Can my RVM operate 24/7?

RVMs can operate 24/7, though operating hours may need to be reduced depending on the location.

How can I apply?

When you are ready to apply, submit your application for the asset hire program online. Our team will assess your application and if you are successful, you’ll be invited to submit a CRP application. To help you prepare, a PDF version of the CRP application form is available to download.

You can save your progress and return to your CRP application at any time. All required documents must be submitted for your application to be accepted and assessed. If you have questions at any point, contact the Expansion Team at expansion@coex.com.au.

The application covers the following sections:

  • Your contact and entity details — including your legal business name, Australian Business Number (ABN) and entity structure
  • Qualifying criteria — a short set of yes/no questions to confirm your eligibility before you proceed
  • Business profile and capability — including financial statements, working capital and relevant business experience
  • Compliance declarations — covering regulatory investigations, litigation, director suitability and modern slavery compliance
  • Your proposed site — including location, operating hours, zoning, lease status, traffic management and security arrangements
  • Supporting plans — you will need to upload an employment plan, customer experience plan, site design and branding plan, and a marketing plan, along with details of your proposed community and social enterprise engagement
  • Conflict of interest declaration — to identify and manage any existing relationships with COEX
  • Final acknowledgement — confirming the accuracy of your application and consenting to background checks.

Note that an application is required for each proposed CRP.

If my application is not successful, can I apply again for a different site?

A rejection for one site does not prevent you from applying for a different location. COEX encourages applicants to speak with the Expansion team before submitting a new application, so we can provide guidance on making an application successful.

What equipment is available under the program?

For community groups, COEX provides the CBOX 3 by Ecoboxtec, a Queensland-based recycling technology company. The asset is a large format, three-chute asset, which means up to three customers can use it at once.

What are the financial arrangements?

COEX retains ownership of the RVM and covers the costs of asset ownership and technical maintenance on your behalf. There is no upfront equipment cost for community operators.

Your organisation earns a handling fee of 3.12 cents per eligible container processed. Payments are processed weekly and to receive payment, you submit a claim in the COEX business portal.

How much money can our organisation earn?

Your organisation will earn 3.12 cents for every eligible container processed through your RVM. The amount you earn will depend on the volume of containers returned at your site. Customers may also choose to donate their 10-cent refund directly to your cause, providing an additional revenue stream on top of your handling fees.

What does the agreement look like?

Participants enter into two agreements with COEX:

  • An RVM Container Collection Agreement (CCA): This is the standard agreement all container refund point operators enter into with COEX. It covers operational requirements, compliance obligations and scheme participation
  • A Hire Agreement: This is a separate agreement specific to the asset hire program that sets out the terms of the equipment hire including responsibilities for the operation and maintenance of the RVM. Please note which you need to sign a hire agreement, there is no hire fee for community groups.
How is this program different from an existing container refund point?

Existing container refund points are operated by commercial businesses for whom the refund point is a core part of their operation. Community operators host an RVM at their venue — such as a sporting club, charity, op shop or community hall — primarily as a fundraising activity. The program is designed to expand the network into new community locations that complement existing operators.

Do we need prior experience?

No prior experience is required. COEX provides training and onboarding documentation and ongoing support to help your organisation succeed. The program is specifically designed to make participation accessible to community organisations that are new to the scheme.

What time commitment is involved?

Participants must ensure the site and asset are kept clean and operational seven days a week. This includes daily cleaning of the RVM in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

What if our board or committee needs to approve participation?

COEX can work with your organisation to understand your decision-making process and allow appropriate time. If your organisation is interested, we encourage you to make contact early — even before a formal decision has been made — so COEX can provide the information your board needs to assess the opportunity.

Can we promote our involvement in the program?

Yes, and COEX encourages it. Promoting your RVM to your members, supporters and local community is one of the most effective ways to drive container volume and maximise your fundraising. COEX provides approved messaging, logos and marketing materials through the Brand Folder to help you do this.

What does COEX provide for community operators?

Under the community model, COEX:

  • provides the RVM
  • arranges and pays for installation and commissioning
  • provides development approval (DA) support with local government (including payment of associated costs); and
  • provides bins to collect containers.

You will also receive set-up and mobilisation support, training and onboarding documentation and ongoing access to asset monitoring dashboards.

COEX manages technical maintenance of the RVM and arranges container collection via our logistics partner. Community operators have access to COEX’s contact centre (13 42 42) for customer and operational queries, as well as marketing support and access to Brand Folder.

What are my responsibilities as a community operator?

All community participants are responsible for:

  • Keeping the RVM and site clean, tidy and safe for customers
  • Completing required cleaning of the asset in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements to maintain warranty (daily at a minimum, 7 days a week)
  • Reporting incidents or asset issues promptly
  • Meeting all compliance requirements under their RVM Container Collection Agreement (CCA)
  • Maintaining appropriate insurances.

COEX manages all technical maintenance for community operators, so you can focus on collecting containers for your cause.

How will I know when the RVM is full and how will it be emptied?

COEX has access to the RVM manufacturer’s asset monitoring dashboard, which automatically tracks fill levels in real time. Our logistics partner is notified of the RVMs capacity and is set up to empty your RVM before it reaches capacity.

What happens at the end of the program period — can we extend?

At the end of the two-year period, you may be able to renew or extend your agreement, subject to COEX’s standard re-contracting process.

If the agreement is not extended, COEX arranges removal of the RVM at no cost to your organisation.

Please refer to the RVM CCA and Hire Agreement for full details.

Who do I contact if I have a problem?

Customer queries and complaints
COEX contact centre
13 42 42
Enquiries@containersforchange.com.au

Asset technical issues
COEX contact centre (troubleshoots or escalates to manufacturer)
13 42 42

Day-to-day operational matters
Community Lead
Community@coex.com.au

Safety incidents
Safety team
safety@coex.com.au

Finance and payment queries
Finance team
finance@containersforchange.com.au

Logistics and bin collection
Logistics team
Logistics@coex.com.au

Marketing and brand support
Marketing team
Marketing@coex.com.au

What should I do if the asset breaks down or has a technical issue?

Contact COEX’s contact centre on 13 42 42 for any technical issues. The contact centre provides first-level support using frequently asked questions and troubleshooting guides. If the issue cannot be resolved remotely, it will be escalated to the manufacturer’s technical support team, who are committed to addressing issues within agreed timeframes.