Local refund point
Sandgate manages the local return, counting and refund stage.
Containers for Change
Where your containers go after you return them
Once your containers are counted and your refund is processed, they continue through the Containers for Change network for sorting, processing and recycling. Different materials follow different recovery pathways before becoming new bottles, cans, building products and other useful materials.
Separated streams
Containers are sorted by material so they can move into the right pathway.
Scheme network
Downstream processing occurs through accredited participants.
New products
Recovered material can become bottles, cans, building products and more.
Container journey
From return point to recycled material
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange handles the local refund-point stage. After that, materials continue through the wider Containers for Change network and accredited recovery participants.
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Containers are returned to Sandgate
Customers return eligible containers through the depot, Bag Drop, school, fundraising or commercial pathways.
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Refunds are processed
Returns are counted and recorded so refunds can be paid through the correct pathway.
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Containers are separated
Material streams are kept apart so glass, metals, plastics and cartons can move into suitable recovery pathways.
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Scheme logistics collect materials
The wider Containers for Change network moves collected material from refund points into processing pathways.
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Materials are processed and baled
Processors prepare recovered material so it can be handled efficiently by accredited recyclers and end markets.
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Recyclers make new products
Recovered material can become new containers, packaging, construction products and other useful materials.
Sandgate does not track or choose every downstream destination. The journey after collection is handled through the wider scheme network.
Material explorer
Explore what each material can become
Select a material to see reported recovery rates, container examples, recycler locations and the products recovered material can become.
Scheme-level figures
Recovery rates and recycler locations are scheme-level figures supplied through Containers for Change. They describe broader material pathways and do not mean every individual container returned at Sandgate follows the same route or destination.
Glass Glass beverage bottles including wine, spirits, juice, beer and soft drink. 88%
Glass can be recycled repeatedly. Depending on quality and market requirements, recovered glass may return to bottle manufacturing or be used in construction and insulation products.
Reported recovery rate
88%
Recycler locations
Queensland
Can become
- New beverage bottles
- Other glass bottles
- Road base
- Pipe base underlay
- Home insulation
Aluminium Aluminium beverage cans. 69.1%
Aluminium is a valuable and highly recyclable material. Recovered cans can be remanufactured into new cans or used in a range of industrial and consumer products.
Reported recovery rate
69.1%
Recycler locations
Korea, India, Malaysia
Can become
- New beverage cans
- Electronics
- Car parts
- Building products
- Kitchen foil
- Takeaway packaging
PET Plastic beverage bottles. 57.1%
PET is commonly used for water and soft drink bottles. Clean PET can be processed into new beverage containers and other recycled plastic products.
Reported recovery rate
57.1%
Recycler locations
Australia
Can become
- New PET beverage bottles, clear bottles only
- Coloured PET bottles
Liquid paperboard Foil-lined juice boxes, flavoured milk and coconut water under 1 litre. 25.7%
Liquid paperboard is made from several bonded materials. Specialist processing separates or recovers usable paper and plastic components.
Reported recovery rate
25.7%
Recycler locations
Australia, Spain
Can become
- Craft paper
- Plastic resin
- Building products
HDPE Flavoured milk bottles under 1 litre, pure fruit juice under 1 litre, and 100% pure juice under 3 litres. 78.7%
HDPE is a durable plastic that can be recycled into new containers and many rigid plastic products.
Reported recovery rate
78.7%
Recycler locations
Australia
Can become
- Other bottles, such as soap containers
- Furniture
- Kitchen bins
- Construction material
- Manufacturing equipment
Steel Steel beverage cans. 34.1%
Steel is separated magnetically and can be reused in new cans, utensils and construction products.
Reported recovery rate
34.1%
Recycler locations
Australia, Korea, India, Japan
Can become
- New steel cans
- Utensils
- Construction materials
Why separation matters
Cleaner material streams improve recovery quality.
Different materials need different processing. Separating eligible containers helps more material stay in recovery pathways and keeps rubbish from reducing the value of recyclable streams.
Different processing
Glass, metal, plastic and liquid paperboard are recovered through different processes.
Cleaner streams
Cleaner streams are easier to process and more useful for recycling markets.
Less contamination
Keeping rubbish out of collection bins helps protect recoverable material.
Sandgate's role
Our role is the local part of a much bigger recycling system.
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange helps customers return eligible containers locally, then prepares collected materials to continue through the Containers for Change recovery network.
Accepts eligible containers
Counts and records returns
Processes refunds
Separates materials
Prepares materials for scheme collection
Supports Bag Drops, schools, fundraisers and commercial partners
Recycling outcomes
Recycling does not always mean another bottle.
The recovered material can return to container manufacturing, but it can also become other useful products depending on quality, processing and market needs.
Glass
May become new bottles, road base or insulation.
Aluminium
May become cans, vehicle parts, building products, kitchen foil or takeaway packaging.
HDPE
May become bins, furniture, manufacturing equipment, construction material or other bottles.
Steel
May become cans, utensils or construction materials.
Recovery rates
Why the recovery rate differs by material
Reported recovery rates vary because material streams are not all the same. These figures are useful as scheme-level context, but they are not the same as an overall return rate.
Material quality varies
Clean, well-separated material is generally more useful than contaminated material.
Some streams are easier to separate
Different container types and material mixes need different handling.
End markets differ
Demand and available processing infrastructure can vary by material.
Some materials are bonded
Liquid paperboard contains multiple bonded layers, so recovery is more specialised.
Container recycling FAQs
Common questions about where containers go
Short answers about Sandgate's local role, material recovery and scheme-level recycler pathways.
What happens to containers after Sandgate receives them?
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange accepts, counts and records eligible containers, processes refunds, separates material streams and prepares the material for collection through the wider Containers for Change network.
Does every bottle become another bottle?
No. Some recovered material can become new bottles or cans, while other material may become products such as road base, insulation, furniture, bins, packaging or construction materials.
Why are containers separated by material?
Different materials need different processing. Separating glass, metals, plastics and liquid paperboard helps keep material streams cleaner and more useful for recovery.
What does recovery rate mean?
Recovery rate is a reported scheme-level figure for the share of a material stream recovered through the recycling pathway. It is not a promise that each individual container follows the same outcome.
Are all materials recycled in Queensland?
No. The supplied scheme-level data lists some materials with Queensland or Australian recycler locations and others with interstate or overseas locations.
Why are some materials sent overseas?
Recycler locations depend on the material stream, processing requirements and available end markets. Sandgate does not choose the downstream recycler destination for individual containers.
Can contaminated containers still be recycled?
Contamination can reduce material quality and recoverable value. Emptying containers and keeping rubbish out of collection bins helps more material stay in recycling pathways.
Who decides where the materials go?
Downstream sorting, processing and recycler destinations are managed through the Containers for Change network and accredited participants, not by Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange alone.
Ready to keep more containers in the recycling system?
Return eligible containers through Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange and help valuable materials move into approved recovery and recycling pathways.