Queenslanders love their milk.

Plain milk. Chocolate milk. Iced coffee pretending to be coffee but mostly being milk. Strawberry milk. Oat milk. Almond milk. Soy milk.

But when it comes to Containers for Change, not all milk containers are created equal.

If you've ever stood at a refund point holding a milk bottle and wondering, "Will this give me 10 cents?" you're not alone. Let's clear up the dairy confusion once and for all.

The milk cheat sheet

Eligible for a 10c refund:
•    Flavoured milk (150mL to 1L)
•    Bottled or canned iced coffee (150ml to 1L)

Not eligible for a 10c refund:
•    Plain milk
•    Alternative milks (oat, almond, soy, coconut and friends)

Wait... why does chocolate milk make the cut, but plain milk doesn't?

Fair question.

The Containers for Change scheme was designed to reduce litter from drinks that are typically consumed on the go. Think drinks you're more likely to enjoy while out and about, then potentially toss away when you're finished.

That's where flavoured milks and iced coffees come in. They're often grabbed from a servo, café or corner store and consumed away from home, making them more likely to end up as litter.

Plain milk, on the other hand, is usually heading straight from the supermarket to the fridge.

Let's be honest, how many people are wandering down the street with a 2L carton of full cream milk? Hopefully not many…

What about alternative milks?

While they might be the star of your morning flat white, alternative milks like oat, almond and soy milk aren't currently included in the scheme.

Like plain milk, they're generally treated as a household grocery item rather than an on-the-go beverage.

The easiest way to know

Still unsure? Simply look for a 10c refund mark on the container. If it's there, you're good to go. If not, it won't be eligible for a refund.

The key takeaway (…get it?) 

All in all, it's not about what's inside the container. It's about the type of drink and how it's typically consumed.

Now go forth and impress your friends with your oddly specific milk-container knowledge. You're welcome!

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