Bottle Deposit Laws by State: Which States Pay You to Recycle (and How Much)

A bottle bill adds a small deposit to the price of drinks in eligible containers. You get that deposit back when you return the empty container. Ten states have one, and the refund is 5 to 15 cents per container depending on the state and the type of drink.

Deposit amounts by state

Amounts and which drinks are covered are set by each state and are occasionally updated. Check your state's recycling agency for the current rules.

Want a number? Try our deposit refund calculator.

How to get your deposit back

1. Collect only eligible containers. Look for the state deposit mark or “CRV”, “ME 5¢” and similar text near the barcode. Containers from outside the state usually won't qualify.
2. Empty them. Full or very dirty containers can be rejected.
3. Choose where to return them. In most bottle-bill states you can use retailer return machines or take them to a redemption center. Redemption centers handle large volumes and often pay cash on the spot.
4. Check limits. Stores may limit how many containers you can return at once. Centers usually don't, but may ask you to sort or to call ahead for very large loads.

Can I recycle for money in a state without a deposit?

Not through a deposit, but loose aluminum cans have scrap value. Many scrap yards buy aluminum cans by the pound, and the price follows the metals market. Glass and plastic bottles generally have no cash value outside deposit states — recycle them in your curbside bin or at a local drop-off for free.

Why some states pay and others don't

Deposit systems put the cost of recycling on beverage containers and reward the person who returns them. States with bottle bills tend to recover a much larger share of those containers than states without one. Most other states rely on curbside programs and voluntary drop-off, which is why you see so many stray cans and bottles in them.

Frequently asked questions