You’ve heard of the saying ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. For retiree, Reuben Smith, another man’s can is another kilometre he can travel on his bike.
Mr Smith from Greenbank has worked out that for every can or bottle he cashes in; he’ll get another kilometre out of his Harley Davidson.
Mr Smith started collecting bottles and cans as a hobby, but it soon turned into an obsession.
“We started collecting because we are retired and thought it was a good income and hobby,” he said.
The bottles and cans come “from my personal consumption and family and friends,” he said.
“My grandchildren also collect their juice poppers for their grand poppy.”
Mr Smith said he uses the cash to buy petrol for his Harley Davidson.
“We use the money for personal purchases, but mainly for my Harley Davidson,” he said.
“It works out that my Harley averages 10 cents a kilometre and I get 10 cents for a can to recycle it, so every can is another kilometre down the road on my next road trip, which I continually remind my grandkids.”
Mr Smith said it takes time to save up enough bottles to get some good cash out of it, but it’s worth it.
“$150 is the most I have got in one return, which took me a number of months to collect and a number of days to count,” he said.
But saving up the money over time, helped Mr Smith pay for fuel to go on a big road trip.
“It paid for fuel to go from our home in Logan to the south of Sydney, then to Canberra and on to Wagga Wagga,” he said.
“I’ve also recently added new spotlights to my Harley with the cash I’ve got from my cans and bottles.”
“Our plan is to travel to North Queensland next with our savings.”
For anyone wanting tips on collecting their cans and bottle for cash, Mr Smith has some advice for you.
“Drink more beer and don’t tell your wife,” he said.
