Bottles & Cans (Deposit) Recycling Near Me

In the ten bottle-bill states (California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont) you get a deposit back, usually 5 to 15 cents per container, when you return eligible bottles and cans to a redemption center or a participating store. Outside those states there is no statewide deposit, but scrap yards often pay by the pound for loose aluminum cans.

How to prepare bottles & cans (deposit) for recycling

Empty containers. Rinsing is not always required, but sticky or full containers can be rejected.
Keep labels on and caps on or off as your center prefers — ask, because it varies.
Sort by material if the center asks (aluminum, glass, plastic); many now count mixed bags automatically.
Bring them in bags or boxes you can leave behind. Some centers cap how many containers you can redeem per visit.

What usually isn't accepted

Containers bought in another state — deposits only apply to containers sold in that state
Crushed or damaged containers whose barcode cannot be read (rules vary)
Containers that held motor oil, pesticide or other hazardous liquids

Will I get paid, or is there a fee?

Redemption is typically 5¢ per container, or 10¢ in Connecticut, Michigan and Oregon, and 15¢ for wine and liquor bottles in Maine and Vermont. California pays 5¢ for containers under 24 oz and 10¢ for larger ones. Many California centers pay by weight rather than by count.

Common questions about bottles & cans (deposit) recycling

Which states have a bottle deposit?

California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont.

Can I redeem bottles and cans if I do not live in a deposit state?

Not for a deposit. You can take aluminum cans to a scrap yard that buys by the pound, or recycle them for free at a local drop-off or in your curbside bin.