FAQs

You book your pick-up right here in this Online App – You will be on the Book a PickUp page when you close this burger menu. Fill in the details about type of bag/bin and quantity and click > Submit… That’s it! You will then receive an email confirmation.

This App is the one you should use when you want Return’em for Cash to pick up your refundable containers. You may have seen the ‘CONTAINER COLLECT App’ from Containers for Change. We DO NOT currently use the Containers for Change App within Toowoomba City limits.

Of course you’re welcome to use any other pickup service to collect your containers, but please be aware that booking using the Container Collect App (from Containers for Change), will result in containers going to a different refund centre and NOT Return’em for Cash. If you do change services and currently have one of our wheelie bins you will need to contact us so we can retrieve it – Please refer to our Terms and Conditions

We ask that you have at least one large bin bag full of containers, or a full wheelie bin, before you book a PickUp. There is no real upper limit for PickUps, but please call our office if it’s more than a ute-load, so that we may efficiently serve you.

You can put your eligible containers in any bag, bin or receptacle which will securely hold them. Plastic bottles and cans can be placed in garbage bags, shopping bags, boxes or bins. But GLASS bottles need to be secure in a box or bin. NEVER place glass bottles in a bag – this is for safety reasons.

Please ensure bags/bins/boxes are clearly and securely labelled with your name and Scheme ID, so that we can ensure every single container is collected and counted.

Containers must be empty and should have their lids removed. Glass containers must be intact and ideally containers should not be crushed. If they look like they’ve been processed through machinery (completely flat) then we cannot accept them.

For PickUps, containers should have brand labels on them, as our Bulk Counter relies on a readable barcode to scan and may not be able read the barcode of crushed containers. We can process containers without brand labels if necessary.

No, you don’t have to rinse your containers but you should ensure that all containers are empty of contents. This will reduce any smell while storing them at home.

For PickUps, containers should have brand labels on them, as our Bulk Counter relies on a readable barcode to scan and may not be able read the barcode of crushed containers.

You can return containers without barcodes or brand labels at our Returns Centre at 12 Kimberley Ct, Torrington, as our self-service machines recognise types using artificial intelligence. Return’em may find it difficult to recognise containers as eligible if they’re not common products, so in rare cases we may not accept them without labels or barcodes.

For PickUps, containers should not be crushed, as our Bulk Counter relies on a readable barcode to scan and may not be able read the barcode of crushed containers. We can process containers without labels if necessary, but if they look like they’ve been processed through machinery (completely flat) then we cannot accept them.

Yes please! Lids may seem harmless, but they can actually be dangerous. If a lid is left on when a container is processed the lid can explosively shoot off it, potentially injuring staff.

You can place the lids in a bag and include them in the bag or bin – We are exploring the possibility of recycling them separately.

No. All we ask is that when we are picking them up, any glass containers are either packed in boxes, in a wheelie bin or some other receptacle. Please DO NOT put glass in bags. Other container types don’t need to be sorted.

You can check if your container is eligible by:


• Finding the refund mark on the container – “10c refund at collection depots/points in participating State/Territory of purchase”;
• Entering the container’s barcode into the container checker here, or; [https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/#block_reference-90]
• Downloading the Containers for Change App, logging in with your scheme ID account details and scanning the barcode of your container. [https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/app]
• See our guide poster here [https://eewaste.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CRS-Eligible-Refundable-Items-A2.pdf]

All containers smaller than 150ml and bigger than 3L are not eligible for a refund. Other containers which ARE NOT eligible include:


• Plain milk containers;
• Glass containers which have contained wine or pure spirits;
• Large containers (1L or more) which have contained flavoured milk, pure juice, cask wine or cask water;
• Cordial or vegetable juice containers;
• Wine sachets above 250ml;
• Registered health tonics.

For the full list of ineligible containers registered by the State Government, please see here. [https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/waste/recovery/reduction/container-refund/container-refund-types] If your local council offers recycling, check with them to see which containers can still be recycled through their kerbside collection service.

Our friendly drivers are highly trained and will arrive in a Return’em branded Van or Truck. We pick up 5 days, Monday to Friday during daylight hours and process your containers within 4 business days* of your online booking – We have been offering this service since 2019 and we don’t use sub-contractors. (*Within Toowoomba city limits. Locations outside city limits may take 5 days or as scheduled)

Yes, please ensure all your bags/bins/boxes are clearly and securely labelled, closed and undamaged. We can supply bags if needed or even wheelie bins and wool packs for larger, regular quantities. You can also download Name/Scheme ID labels from your Containers for Change account. [https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/]

Place your bags/bins/boxes somewhere in your yard or premises that is easily accessible by our drivers, but not visible from the street – Ensure the description you’ve provided during registration is clear and simple. Don’t place them on the curb.

No, do not place your bags/bins/boxes on the curb. Place them somewhere in your yard or premises that is easily accessible by our drivers, but not visible from the street – Ensure the description you’ve provided during registration is clear and simple.

A Return’em branded Van or Truck will arrive to pick up your containers. Our friendly drivers are highly trained and we pick up 5 days, Monday to Friday during daylight hours – We have been offering this service since 2019 and we don’t use sub-contractors.

Return’em for Cash does not charge for PickUps so you get the FULL 10¢ on ALL of your eligible containers. Our drivers leave a calling card and will always follow our rigorous procedures, to ensure every single container is collected and counted.

Yes, you can donate your container refund to any charity that has a Scheme ID. Click on >Favourite Charity in the Return’em Pickup burger menu – Enter the details of your favourite charity, then select >Donate my refund on the Booking Confirmation page. Find the Scheme IDs of many charities here. [https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/donate-your-refund]

All PickUps are paid through Scheme ID for obvious security reasons. Once we have collected your containers, they are generally counted and processed within 24hours, then Containers for Change will deposit the funds into your nominated bank account. If you want cash on the spot, bring your containers into our Return Centre at 12 Kimberley Ct, Torrington.

Our wheelie bins are given out on loan. If you are a regular customer and collect more than 300 containers per month then you’re eligible for a Wheelie Bin. We reserve the right to refuse loan of wheelie bins and to collect bins at our discretion. To request a bin, click on >Request a Wheelie Bin in the Return’em Pickup burger menu, tick >Request a Wheelie Bin, tick >Agree to T&Cs and click >Submit.

We pick up from anywhere in and around Toowoomba and from further afield for sufficient quantities. If in doubt, give us a call on our main number: 07 4633 0723 If you are having trouble getting through, please call: 0428 965 461

If you want to add our Online Booking App as a shortcut on your smartphone’s home-screen, select relevant link below for a great how-to:


Apple [https://www.groovypost.com/howto/add-a-website-shortcut-to-your-iphone-home-screen/]
Android [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsG3NwsH5IA]