They've got a can-do attitude! Engaged lovers pledge to pay for their dream wedding by collecting more than 800,000 bottles and cans for recycling

  • A Queensland couple has come up with a unique way to save for their wedding  
  • The couple are aiming to collect more than 800,000 bottles and cans  
  • The idea came about after the couple found out how much wedding would cost  

By Bryant Hevesi For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:57 EST, 18 November 2018 | Updated: 22:00 EST, 18 November 2018

An engaged couple has come up with a unique, environmentally-friendly way to help pay for their dream wedding.

Leonie Starr and fiance Matthew Porter have set themselves the goal of collecting more than 800,000 bottles and cans to save cash for their big day.

The couple, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, started their collection after a 10 cent container deposit scheme came into effect on November 1.

'I've been collecting bottles since I heard about the scheme coming to Queensland,' Ms Starr told Daily Mail Australia. 

Leonie Starr and fiance Matthew Porter (pictured) have come up with a unique, environmentally-friendly way to save for their dream wedding

Leonie Starr and fiance Matthew Porter (pictured) have come up with a unique, environmentally-friendly way to save for their dream wedding

The Queensland couple (pictured) are hoping to get married in Vanuatu in March 2020 

The Queensland couple (pictured) are hoping to get married in Vanuatu in March 2020 

The couple - both aged 28 - have their hearts set on a wedding on a private island in Vanuatu but almost had their dreams crushed when they found out the cost. 

Ms Starr and Mr Porter, who became engaged in March, were given a quote for 35 people to spend six nights on the island, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included.   

'Including the actual wedding which is $5,000, it came to $81,000. My partner nearly fell off the couch,' Ms Starr said.  

The couple need to collect a considerable number of bottles and cans before their wedding day but they have already received a sizable amount of donations.   

'I thought it was a huge goal to try and get 810,000 and so far all of my friends and family are getting involved. It's amazing,' Ms Starr said. 

She said the collection was not only helping pay off their wedding, it was also making a difference to the environment.

Ms Starr and Mr Porter (pictured together left and right) have their hearts set on a wedding on a private island in Vanuatu 

About 1,000 bottles have been collected so far, including one which carried the message 'To Leonie, love from Sam' 

About 1,000 bottles have been collected so far, including one which carried the message 'To Leonie, love from Sam' 

Ms Starr is hoping to collect 810,000 bottles and cans to help pay for her wedding day 

Ms Starr is hoping to collect 810,000 bottles and cans to help pay for her wedding day 

'Even one bottle collected is helping the environment. It's overwhelming to see how much we throw away as a community,' she said.

'It's great to see the community getting behind such a crazy idea. It's been fun walking the beaches and parks adding to the total count.

'If more people know about the scheme the less that's being sent to landfill.' 

Ms Starr has also started the Facebook page  'A recycled wedding' to share the concept and reach out for help with her collection. 

'My name is Leonie Starr and it's my crazy goal to collect 810,000 bottles/cans to pay for our entire wedding,' Ms Starr wrote on the Facebook page. 

'With everyone's help, I think we can do it.

Ms Starr (pictured with Mr Porter) said the bottle and can collection was not only helping pay off their wedding, it was also making a difference to the environment

Ms Starr (pictured with Mr Porter) said the bottle and can collection was not only helping pay off their wedding, it was also making a difference to the environment

'I've been cleaning up local parks and beaches, taking everything I can find to my local EnviroBank depot on the Sunshine Coast. Collecting bottles and cans from my neighbours, friends and family I can happily announce I have recycled my first 1000 bottles. 

'Help me recycle, feel free to message me (or email me) if you have anything for me to collect or start recycling yourself for some extra pocket money.'

One of the bottles collected so far even carried the message 'To Leonie, love from Sam'. 

Under Queensland's container deposit scheme, residents can receive 10 cents for every bottle or can recycled at one of the state's collection points.   

The couple are hoping to get married in March 2020.  

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Engaged couple pledge to pay for dream wedding by collecting bottles and aluminium for recycling

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