local kids out and about in their suburbs recycling, reusing and returning

Using your own bike and a home made trailer, a few milk crates and a bit of help from Mum or Dad, you can start your very own business! 

We want to broaden the range of partners Canberra kids collect for.  If you know of a new venture or initiative that needs our help, please let us know.

Great stories & success inspire us! See how other Canberra Kids are changing recycling habits in their suburb and tell us your story.

(As the community of Canberra kids collecting grows we are building a page specifically for your stories!!)

A recycling venture using the ACT Container Deposit Scheme can help build community in your school, change recycling habits and raise some serious money for a community endeavour or school need.  

There are many items we dispose of everyday that can be reused or recycled, some even returned for cash.  Either way, don't throw them away!

Not sure where to take your containers?  Want to know which ones are eligible for a 10c refund?  Check out our most frequently asked questions and answers.  

How will you transport your containers?

Here are some things to think about:

• Safety First:  Bike paths are safer than roads. Glass is heavy.  Bottles can break.
• Do you have hills to ride or walk up and down? What will make it easiest for you to collect containers?  Walking or riding, pushing or pulling?  Don't make it too hard for yourself.  You have to do it every week!
• How far do you have to ride or walk from your home? Keep it nearby to start and expand later.
• How much time do you want to spend on this job each week? 
• Will you sort the containers as you collect them or once you get back home?
• Do you plan to visit one customer or many? A nearby retirement village or townhouse complex could make your job very easy. Be sure to ask them first.

James' Tips:

• Start with just a few customers. Over a few weeks you will get to know how cans and bottles they give you.
• Don't overload your trailer or trolley. Cleaning up broken glass from a spill on the street is no fun at all.
• Sort as you go is quicker if you set up your trailer with buckets or boxes.
• Taking off the lids as you go is quicker too.

What will you call your little business?

Here are some things to think about:

• You need to make up your very own name.  
• You can't use someone else's.
• A name for your business should be short and tell people what you do. It will be your "logo".
• It can be something catchy or rhyme.
• Choose a name people will remember easily.
• It can include your first name if you want.
• No one else should use your business name.
• Be sure you're happy with it - you mustn't change it once you give out your flyers.
• Pick a style or font you like.

James' Tips:

• Keep it short and snappy.
• Take your time.
• Ask for ideas from family or friends.
• Draw, paint or colour your logo and take a photo to use later on your flyer.
• Have fun with it!
• Please don't use Cans in Crates, thats James' business name.

Where will you collect containers?

Here are some things to think about:

• You'll need to collect from most people every week so don't go too far from home.
• Two or three large customers is easier to look after than many small customers.
• Start in your own street and then the closest streets to home.
• Pick streets that you can safely ride to and from. 
• Check the location with your mum or dad.
• Don't ride on main roads.  Use bike paths as much as possible.
• Retirement Villages:  Go and ask the Manager if you can put some crates next to their recycling bins with a plastic covered flyer above and ask them to share in their Newsletter what you are doing.  Ask if you can put your flyer in all the letterboxes. Let them know what day you plan to collect.
• Townhouses & Units:  Ask if you can place a couple of crates near the recycling bins and if you can put your flyer in their letterboxes explaining what you're doing.

James Tips:

• Stay close to home.
• Better to add more customers later than miss some because its too much work for you each week.
• Try and collect containers the same time every week.  Customers like routine !!!
• Be sure to tell your customers if you go away or can't collect at any time.

What, When, How, Why and Who all needs to be included on your flyer.

• What:  tell your customer what containers you want to collect from them.
• When:  tell them what day and how often you plan to collect.
• How:  explain what you want them to do and what you will do. Keep it short and simple.
• Why:  say why you are collecting containers.  You can tell them you will get 10c for every container and what you hope to use the money for - what is your goal?  You can also tell them where the containers go and what they will be used for.
• Who:  tell them a little bit about who you are.  Just your first name, your logo and how they can contact you.

James' Tips:

• Pick bright colours and large fonts for your flyer.
• Keep it simple and easy to read.  Be clear.
• Make sure you include contact information.  A mobile for texting is easiest.
• A5 is a good size to give people.  It's not too big and not too small.
• If you use cardboard, you could put a magnet on the back so they can stick it on their fridge.
• You want neighbours to like it and keep it.

Will you hand deliver your flyer or just put them in letterboxes?

• Ask your Mum or Dad what they think is best?
• Door knocking is better than putting flyers in letterboxes.  It lets people meet you and you can explain in person what you are trying to do. 
• People get lots of paper in letterboxes and might throw your flyer away.
• Always have an adult go with you.
• You can't door knock at a Retirement Village without permission first.
• If you are going to door knock, most people are home after work or on weekends.
• If neighbours say "Yes" they will help, ask them for their name and a contact number to keep in touch.  Note their name next to their address in a notebook.  You'll be delivering a crate later.

James' Tips:

• Door Knocking can be a little scary at first.  It gets easier once you meet a couple of neighbours.  
• Start with neighbours you already know.
• Don't feel bad if neighbours say "No".  They just don't want to give you their containers or maybe they don't have any. They're not saying they don't like you!
• Don't put flyers in letterboxes that say "No Junk Mail".  
• Keep a list of which houses you have door knocked.
• Keep a list of which houses you gave a flyer to.  You don't want to do the job twice.

Deliver the crates.

• When you have a new customer, tell them when you will bring them a crate and ask if you can place it next to their recycling bin.
• Tell them which day will be your first collection.
• Never go in peoples back yards.  Most people leave their yellow bin near the front of the house somewhere.
• If their bin is in their backyard, ask them to put the crate on the curb or in front of their garage once a week on the day you collect.

James' Tips:

• If the crate is near their yellow bin they are more likely to sort their recycling and put 10c containers in your crate.
• Bags are a waste of time in crates.  They break and get wet.  Just empty the crate straight into your trailer or trolley.