Raise funds for what matters
Turn 10c refunds into support for P&C projects, equipment and resources.
Containers for Change for schools, P&Cs and education providers.
Turn eligible containers into practical school fundraising.
Simple collection programs for schools, P&Cs, early learning centres, universities and TAFE campuses across North Brisbane.
Education opportunities
Students learn about recycling, eligibility and the circular economy.
Involve your community
Students, staff and families can all take part.
Simple, supported and local
Our local team helps with setup, collections and program advice.
Program overview
A container program that fits school life.
The Schools Collection Program gives education communities a clear way to collect eligible drink containers and direct refunds toward school priorities. It can support regular campus collections, one-off events, family participation and simple classroom conversations about eligible containers.
Why schools use it
Helpful for fundraising, useful for learning.
A good school program should be easy to explain, practical to run and meaningful for students and families.
Useful fundraising for school priorities
Refunds from eligible containers can support P&C projects, sporting equipment, library resources, playground improvements, classroom needs or environmental initiatives.
Students can see the system working
A collection program gives students a practical way to learn which containers are eligible, how refunds are created and why contamination matters.Designed around your campus
The right setup depends on student numbers, available space, eating areas, event calendars and how your staff or P&C want to manage collections.Families can take part too
Parents and carers can send containers from home, use the school Member Number or support collection mornings and school events. How it works
From first enquiry to school refunds.
Every school site is different, so Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange starts with a conversation and recommends a practical pathway before containers are collected.
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Contact Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange
Tell us about your school type, student numbers, available space, P&C involvement and the kind of program you want to run.
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Choose the right collection solution
We recommend a practical setup for bins, bags, campus collection zones, school events and servicing based on what will work on site.
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Collect eligible containers
Students, staff and families collect eligible drink containers, keep general waste out of collection bins and follow clear school instructions.
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Refunds support your school
Containers are counted and refunds are returned through the nominated school, P&C or Containers for Change Member Number pathway.
What Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange provides
Local support without corporate fuss.
You get practical help from a family-owned North Brisbane operator that understands school communities, campus collections and larger collection needs.
Local advice
Our team helps determine the best collection method based on your campus, student numbers, available space and likely container volume.Collection equipment
Bins, bags and collection options can be tailored to suit your school, with practical advice on central collection zones and smaller bins around eating areas.Educational resources
We can assist with Containers for Change education material, eligibility information and resources schools can use with students and families.
Program support
We can help with launch planning, collection advice, communication ideas and ongoing support as your program grows. Why partner with Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange
A school program needs a local operator behind it.
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange helps schools turn the idea of container fundraising into a workable routine, from choosing bins and collection points to keeping the program moving after launch.
Personalised setup
We help plan a program around your school type, space, student numbers and P&C capacity instead of expecting every campus to run the same way.Flexible collection arrangements
We can discuss large bins, smaller collection points, event support, scheduled servicing and free collection where applicable.Practical launch support
We can help you think through launch timing, parent communication, student involvement and how to keep eligible containers separate from general waste.
Local operator relationship
You deal with a North Brisbane family business that understands local schools, school events and how collection programs work after launch day. Schools Collection Program
Ways your school community can collect.
The strongest programs usually combine a simple on-campus setup with clear family instructions and event support when needed.
On-campus collection
Best for schools that want an ongoing collection point. Larger bins can sit in a central zone while smaller bins support eating areas or high-traffic spaces.
School events
Works well for fetes, sports days, discos, movie nights and fundraisers where eligible containers are likely to be generated in one place.
P&C fundraising
A practical pathway for P&C associations that want a regular fundraiser with clear account ownership, volunteer roles and report-back opportunities.
Family participation
Useful when parents and carers want to support the school from home by bringing containers to school or using the school Member Number.
Depot returns
A good option for smaller collections, one-off returns or families who already visit Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange.
24/7 Bag Drop
An optional pathway for labelled bags when families or supporters prefer to drop containers outside depot hours using the school Member Number.
Education opportunities
Make container returns part of real-world learning.
The strongest programs do more than collect containers. They help students understand eligibility, waste separation, refund value and how families can take part.
Environmental education
Students can learn what happens after containers are returned and how container recovery supports a more circular use of materials.Container eligibility
Teach students how to identify the 10c refund mark, recognise common eligible containers and avoid contamination in collection bins.Curriculum support
The program can complement sustainability projects, environmental studies, maths activities and practical classroom learning.Community participation
Families can support the program outside school by returning containers with the school Member Number or taking part in collection days. Why schools choose Containers for Change
A practical program students and families can understand.
Container fundraising works well for schools because the action is simple, the refund is clear and the learning can happen through everyday participation.
Practical fundraising
Every eligible container creates a 10c refund that can support school priorities.Engages students
Students can help collect, sort, promote and understand the program.Involves families
Parents and carers can contribute through home collections, events or the school Member Number.Reduces container waste
Eligible drink containers are separated from general waste and returned through the scheme.Easy participation
Clear collection points, simple communication and agreed servicing make the program easier to maintain.
Measurable outcomes
Schools can track refunds, set collection goals and report progress back to the community. School FAQs
Questions schools ask before getting started.
Clear answers for principals, P&C committees, sustainability coordinators and administration teams.
Can schools raise funds through Containers for Change?
Yes. Schools, early learning centres, P&Cs and education providers can use eligible container returns as a fundraising pathway through Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange.
Who can enquire about the Schools Collection Program?
Principals, business managers, P&C associations, sustainability coordinators, teachers, administration staff, universities, TAFE campuses and early learning providers can contact Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange to discuss a suitable setup.
Do you provide bins or bags for schools?
Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange can discuss bins, bags, collection or event support based on the school site and program needs. Specific bin availability and arrangements should be confirmed with the team before launch.
Can families bring containers from home?
Yes. Family participation is one of the practical ways a school program can grow. Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange can help explain the agreed return, Bag Drop or donation pathway so families know what to do.
Can Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange support school events?
Event support can be discussed for fetes, sports days, movie nights and other school activities where eligible containers are collected. Availability depends on the event and approved arrangement.
What containers can students and families collect?
Eligible containers are usually drink containers between 150mL and 3L that are included in the Queensland scheme and display the 10c refund mark. If a container is uncertain, check the eligible containers guide or ask the Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange team.
How are school refunds paid?
Refunds are usually processed through the nominated school, P&C or Containers for Change Member Number account. Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange can help confirm the right pathway before collections begin.
Can parents donate containers to the school?
Yes. Parents and carers can support the school by bringing eligible containers to school, returning containers with the school Member Number, or using the agreed donation pathway.
Can students bring containers from home?
Yes, if the school chooses to include home collections. The best approach is to give families clear instructions about eligible containers, glass safety, drop-off timing and where containers should go.
Can you support fetes and sporting events?
Yes. Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange can discuss extra bins or event collection support for fetes, sports days, discos, movie nights and similar school events where eligible containers are likely to be collected.
Can multiple campuses participate?
Yes. Multi-campus schools, universities, TAFE campuses and education providers can discuss a setup for each site, including where containers will be collected and how refunds should be directed.
How often are collections made?
Collection timing is arranged around the school setup, container volume and agreed servicing plan. During launch, the school can contact Sandgate Bottle & Can Exchange when bins are nearly full so collection can be planned efficiently.
Can we start small and grow later?
Yes. Many schools are better off starting with a simple collection point or event, then adding more bins, family participation or scheduled servicing once the routine is clear.
Let's build a collection program that works for your school.
Whether you're a small kindergarten, a primary school, high school, university campus or P&C Association, we'll help design a collection program that fits your community.