Refund Policy
Introduction
At Drop Zone Recycling, we are committed to providing a fair and transparent container return experience. Our facility operates as part of the Queensland container refund scheme, which allows eligible drink containers to be returned for a 10-cent refund. This policy outlines the circumstances under which refunds may or may not be issued, as well as the limits of our responsibility in cases of machine or human error.
Nature of Our Service
Drop Zone Recycling does not sell goods or services in a conventional retail sense. We provide a platform for the public to return eligible containers in exchange for refunds issued via automated machines or staff-assisted processes, based on the eligibility and quantity of containers presented. Refunds are not paid for damaged, ineligible, or contaminated items, nor for containers that do not meet scheme requirements.
How Refunds Are Calculated
Refunds are calculated based on the number of eligible containers returned and successfully processed by the system. Containers are scanned and verified either by Automated Refund Terminals (ARTs), hand-counted by staff, or processed through the bag drop system. Each eligible container is worth 10 cents, as set by the Queensland Government under the Containers for Change scheme.
Accuracy of Counts
While we take care to ensure machines and staff follow correct procedures, Drop Zone Recycling is not liable for miscounts, user errors, system faults, or incorrect tallies made by machines or staff. The automated counting equipment is maintained regularly and calibrated for accuracy, but like all technology, errors can occur. By using our services, you acknowledge that the count provided by the system is final and no refunds will be issued for disputed amounts unless a clear error can be proven and verified.
No Obligation to Issue Manual Refunds
We do not manually adjust refund amounts unless a proven system fault occurred during processing. Refunds will not be issued in response to disputes over missed containers, miscounts, or claims based on memory or estimation. Containers that were not counted or accepted due to being ineligible, too damaged, or contaminated are not eligible for payment.
Bag Drop Terms
Bag drop users are encouraged to follow labelling instructions and to ensure only eligible, clean, and uncrushed containers are submitted. We take no responsibility for refunds that appear lower than expected due to ineligible items being included, bags not being labelled correctly, or bags arriving damaged. Refunds are processed once counted by our team, and no correspondence will be entered into over disputes where sufficient evidence is not available.
Refund Timeframes
Most refunds are processed immediately at the time of container return. Bag drop refunds may take up to 3 to 5 business days to be issued, depending on processing volume. Refunds are issued via the payment method selected — cash, Scheme ID deposit, or donation — and we are not responsible for delays caused by banking providers or errors in the Scheme ID information provided.
Responsibility for Equipment
Drop Zone Recycling is not the manufacturer of the equipment used to process returns. We do not accept liability for any issues related to the performance, availability, or accuracy of these machines. If machines are offline, malfunctioning, or unavailable, refunds cannot be processed until the system is restored. We will take all reasonable steps to resolve issues quickly, but no compensation will be provided for inconvenience or delays.
Contact Us
If you have a concern regarding a refund or system issue, please contact us at admin@dropzonerecycling.com.au with details of the date, time, and nature of the issue. While we cannot guarantee resolution in all cases, we will review enquiries fairly and respond as promptly as possible.