Return and Earn Etiquette

[Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 19:35

We've been collecting eligible containers for 3 months now with every intention of dropping them off at a centre one weekend but have not found the time to do so yet & the kiddos have started to nag us to go.

I was going to do a trial run at a R&E centre where you can be served by someone as I've not done it before. Is there a limit to how many containers you can bring at one time? How do you transport the containers there? We're keeping them in an old wheelie bin in the garage but that won't fit in the car!

Also, are the machines relatively easy to use? Any tips for a smooth transaction? I think the kiddos would get more of a kick out of using the machines however I don't want to hold up a queue of seasoned R&E folks who may not take kindly to waiting around for the newbies.

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • duk242 on 26/05/2023 - 19:45
    +2

    There are some places that have sorting machines, so you don't need to use the one at a time machines.

    I keep my cans in the big garden bags, each bag holes ~$25 worth of cans, and I can fit 3-4 full ones in my Mazda 3 comfortably

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 19:52

      Far out - so there are even different types of machines.

      Thank-you for the garden bags suggestion. $100 per trip is definitely worthwhile.

      • duk242 on 26/05/2023 - 20:13
        +2

        The one I go to the machines are manned, so you roll up with your car, pull out your bags of cans and they pour it into the machine. Then you get a ticket that's like "52x cans" or whatever and then take that to the counter where they give you the money…

        Kinda depends where you live, I go to the one in Coffs Harbour.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 28/05/2023 - 23:05
        -1

        $100 per trip is definitely worthwhile.

        Minus fuel
        Minus the time spent travelling
        MinusThe time spent collecting them

        Work it out as an hourly rate and think to yourself if it's worth your time if you can get money other ways

        • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2023 - 09:32
          +3

          It's recycling not a get-rich scheme

          • coffeeinmyveins on 29/05/2023 - 09:50

            @[Deactivated]: That's not what 99% of people are doing it for mate, let's be real.

            Consumer recycling in Australia is a joke at best.

            • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2023 - 09:53

              @coffeeinmyveins: Which country does it better?

              • coffeeinmyveins on 29/05/2023 - 13:35

                @[Deactivated]: Not sure why I have to say which country/ies do it better?

                • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2023 - 15:31
                  +1

                  @coffeeinmyveins: Well, I asked 'cause you said:

                  Consumer recycling in Australia is a joke at best.

                  What are you comparing it to if you find Oz recycling 'hilarious'?

    • KangaDrew on 26/05/2023 - 22:06

      250 cans in a garbage bag….? Even a big one? Are they crushed?

      • duk242 on 27/05/2023 - 07:23

        Nope, but the bag is about 1.5m tall ish. Just fits across the back seat in my car :)

      • pgcs on 28/05/2023 - 08:57

        Don't crush them. They will be rejected.
        If they are crushed, you may get about $0.90 /kg at a recycler. Far cry from the $0.10/can.

  • djkelly69 on 26/05/2023 - 19:50
    +2

    I have seen people with multiple trash paks filled with cans, I am sure yours will be fine!

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 20:00

      googles trash paks They're H U G E ! My first thought is how would you lug them from the car to the machine?

      • YadaYadaYada on 26/05/2023 - 22:22
        +1

        Try go to one in the middle of a carpark. There are quite a few around where I live where they're located in shopping centre or woolies carparks. I've seen people have multiple trash bags, or trolleys worth of cans at those machines. The app/webpage usually tells you if it's busy and when it's open so you can try then to minimise queuing time.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 22:48

          There is one machine behind our local Woolies but it's always either busy or out of order/full when I've checked when there. I'll definitely check the app at a few locations & probs best avoid on w/e.

  • elgrande on 26/05/2023 - 19:51
    -4

    Did you also need detailed advice when you first used your wheely bin?

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 19:54
      +6

      You read a bit cranky-pants; it must be past your bedtime

  • Kongzi on 26/05/2023 - 19:54

    Stop having them in the first place

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 19:56

      Drink water from the tap exclusively?

      • elgrande on 26/05/2023 - 20:19
        +1

        Think he means the kiddos

        • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 20:20
          +2

          Why are you not asleep yet?

      • AustriaBargain on 26/05/2023 - 20:20
        -1

        Gross. Fish (profanity) in it.

        • Chandler on 29/05/2023 - 11:20

          Well, if you think about it, the Earth is one large terrarium: apart from the odd meteorite/comet/etc, the water we have here is the only water we've ever had. It's the planets second-most recycled resource, the first-most being oxygen/air.

          In short: it's not just the fish pee-ing in the water. Dinosaurs pee'd in it too!

  • djones145 on 26/05/2023 - 20:01
    +1

    some places u drop it off, tell them how many cans u have and they pay you, kinda honor system(they prolly eye ball it)
    some places a person counts them
    other places (usually at golf courses and shopping centres) u place them in a machine

  • randomusername2017 on 26/05/2023 - 20:12

    @screensaver

  • John Kimble on 26/05/2023 - 21:10
    +1

    I'm no expert and dunno if it's changed since, but many years ago I used machines, only for a small number of bottles/cans just to see what it was like.

    I think the novelty would wear out quite quickly if you have hundreds of bottles/cans TBH…

    There's one machine that takes bottles and one that takes cans/plastics, so you should have them separated in advance, and if it's busy you have to line up twice I suppose?

    You just chuck them in the hole one at a time and it counts them for you, then you can get a physical voucher, or if you register for the MyTomra app, you can get a digital voucher or straight to PayPal.

    I suppose the tips I would suggest would be:

    1) to skip bottles given they are so heavy?

    2) Use something like milk crates or similar to keep the bag or container up higher so you're not bending l down over and over…I've seen people use trolleys?

    3) Download and register for the Mytomra app in advance. It supposedly tells you if they are open too which is handy, but don't know if that also knows full/out of order status.

    4) Try and go to a place that has at least two of each version (4 holes) to reduce time waiting and in case one or more are full/out of order.

    https://youtu.be/1xqVkmIkick
    https://youtu.be/A_WQMCT0oH4

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 21:20

      Many thanks!

  • ddhar on 26/05/2023 - 21:13
    +2

    I've seen people do returns with sacks of containers so you won't be the first.

    About having your kids on the machine though, be mindful the area can be quite smelly/stinky.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 21:32

      Kiddos are at the age where smelly/stinky is not yet totally off-putting after they declare that it is indeed smelly/stinky! Just trying to get them to appreciate that a bit of hard work is required to earn some $.

  • Benoffie on 26/05/2023 - 22:05
    +3

    I find this all very fascinating. SA has had bottle deposit since 77.

    Without a lie, people pull up with truck, trailer, SUV loads. Boots full, even stashed to the brim in caravans.

    It's like the obligatory pension top up scheme here.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2023 - 22:39
      -2

      NSW has had it for awhile now. We were funding a few neighbourhood 'professional bin chook recyclers' that pounced every time the rubbish bins hit the kerb. They were most put out when we no longer binned them to add to their haul.

      • Domingo on 27/05/2023 - 09:30
        +1

        They were most put out when we no longer binned them to add to their haul.

        Did they knock on your door or leave you a note to let you know that they were most put out?

        • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2023 - 09:59

          They tipped the bin onto it's side & left it like that

    • Nugs on 27/05/2023 - 08:15
      +2

      SA here too. Normally take a ute worth $50-$65, occasionally including a car battery.
      Scrap steel isn't worth a great deal though even though there are those that must spend all day driving around collecting it to fill cage trailers.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 26/05/2023 - 23:43
    +1

    If you live in the inner west Sydney, I know a place that will accept your bottles on a trust system. You let the guy know how many bottles and he just gives you the 10c per bottle. Used him a few times.

  • foxmulder on 27/05/2023 - 13:28
    +1

    I suggest to just go to one and do small, like few bag to get used to things. I suggest not park on the dedicated parking for R&E as sometimes there is shattered glass. I also just donate the money, they give you receipt to claim against your tax return.

  • screensaver on 27/05/2023 - 21:49
    +1

    There are places with automated machines which would be less work, I havent used that yet. I always use a trolley, much easier, and dont have to bend over. I use 2 hands to pick up cans. I wear a mask because the person next to you is quite close. I use disposable gloves.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2023 - 22:58

      Thanks for your advice, Pam. I hope your surgery went well & you have healed.

      • screensaver on 28/05/2023 - 00:48
        -1

        thanks I didnt need surgery, but was out of action for 12 weeks.Can do what I need to do now.

  • lostgoat on 29/05/2023 - 15:40

    I wouldn't do it . 100 cans for $10 with all the time and effort . Teach your kids time is valuable and use it wisely elsewhere. This is bottom feeding. Just chuck it in the recycle bin .

  • Turd on 23/04/2024 - 14:55

    I just did my first one, guy behind me helped as had a few that didnt move or such, got $2.1 lol

    I saw that glass is accepted too? So what does that mean all glass?

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