A Sunshine Coast couple have chosen an unorthodox way to fund their dream Vanuatu wedding, aiming to collect 810,000 bottles and cans and use Queensland's new container refund scheme to raise $81,000.

Leonie Starr and Matthew Porter were shocked to receive the quote for their wedding but when the container scheme launched they calculated a daily target that could potentially fund the nuptials planned for March 2020.

"It scared me for a second until I realised what was included. It's an amazing island and he (Matthew) was onboard till he saw the price," Ms Starr said.

"I have been waiting for the scheme to come to Queensland for about a year. When it launched, we went about three or four times before we started realising that this could pay for the wedding.

"Once I did the calculations I thought we could give it a go.

"If we get 2,200 bottles every day for one year that will hit our goal. Currently I'm way off but the last couple of days I've had hundreds of people messaging me getting involved."

Ms Starr's friends and family were initially surprised with the idea but are now contributing to her growing collection of bottles and cans.

Friends have started donating bottles. ( Supplied )

"At first they just laughed. They thought it was crazy, thinking it's never going to happen. But everyone is so onboard. Even those who aren't into recycling. So many people are getting involved, it's awesome."

Ms Starr said her fiance was initially apprehensive about the idea.

"He was freaked out to be honest. He thought I would be keeping 810,000 bottles at our house. He is extremely proud of me for sticking to what I set out to achieve," she said.

Kunda Park depot manager, Craig McDougall, who operates the refund scheme on the Sunshine Coast said people are starting to treat bottles and cans as currency.

"I think it's fantastic. I think that's going to help that young lady pay for her dream wedding. It means more litter out of the ocean and off the streets. It's win-win for both parties," Mr McDougall said.

Mr McDougall said he had seen similar initiatives since the launch of the scheme.

"I've got a young lady who comes in every day with her dad and does about $50 a day and she is trying to save for a car. She is up to about $900 a week, so I'm seeing it everywhere," he said.

He said people with long-term financial goals using the container refund scheme are taking it upon themselves to clean up the environment.

"I saw a couple at Golden Beach going through the bins at the BBQ area. They were clearing out the litter from the bins along Golden Beach. The beaches are heavily populated and the weather is beautiful. It's great they were going through and cleaning up the area."

Ms Starr said the wedding would still go ahead even if she failed to reach her target amount.

"They (family and friends) never expected us to pay for them to come to the wedding, so they are more than happy to pay for themselves. They are even giving me bottles, they are chipping in in their own way."