More than $100 million has been paid out to schools, charities and households throughout Queensland as the container fund scheme celebrates its first birthday.

One billion containers have been deposited since the container refund scheme began on November 1 last year, with more than 330 designated container refund points (CRP) rolled out throughout the state.

Container Exchange (CoEx) manager Adam Nicholson said the scheme had been fully embraced by the public.

"We knew it was going to be popular, but we didn't think it would be to this level to reach one billion is fantastic," he said.

Adam Nicholson is amazed at the amount of containers Queenslanders have collected. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

"In Brisbane alone, we just crept over the 400 million mark, so we're amazed with that figure."

He said people of all ages have been drawn to the scheme.

"For children it's all about saving and building up their money and when they come to the exchange they can see through the window to see how the bottles are sorted," Mr Nicholson said.

"Retirees with spare time like to do it as a way to improve their surrounds and their environment — giving it [the money] to their families or charities."

Charities and environment benefit

In far-north Queensland a man collected 75,000 containers from nearby stations and properties and donated the money to the local P&C.

"He raised more than $7,500 and gave the money to Augathella State School," Mr Nicholson said.

Local Sue uses the money she makes to buy groceries. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

"We're seeing that generosity of spirit and people are now thinking about what they can do with the containers to make a difference."

Minister for Environment Leanne Enoch said the scheme has seen a 35-per-cent reduction of containers ending up as littler throughout Queensland.

"The fact that we're seeing less of these containers ending up in our litter stream and our environment," she said.

Containers are collected and sorted by an automated system. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

"There's lots of positivity about what the future will look like and at the 12-month mark these are great figures."

Collecting for a dream wedding

Sunshine Coast's Leonie Starr has been collecting cans with her finance Matthew Porter to pay for their upcoming wedding.

Their aim was to collect 810,000 containers to fund their dream $81,000 Vanuatu wedding, yet a change of plans will see the couple marry on the Sunshine Coast.

Leonie Starr has been collecting thousands of containers to raise money for her wedding. ( Facebook: A Recycled Wedding )

She has currently collected more than 89,064 containers.

"It's been full-on as I've been working two jobs as well as collecting containers but we're getting there," she told ABC Radio Brisbane's Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan.

"The 12th November was my first drop-off so we're coming up to the first year of collecting and we're still going strong — here's hoping we get there."

Containers have been cashed in by various groups around Queensland. ( ABC Riverina: Antigone Anagnostellis )

Mr Nicholson noted that wine bottles and milk bottles were yet to join the exchange, but could change in the near future.

"We still have issues with milk bottles due to hygiene, but we hope to see changes happen with wine and spirit bottles — we're definitely looking at the capacity to step into this space."