North Country Recycles - Returnables
Returnables

What is a "Returnable?"

In 1983, New York State implemented a "Bottle Bill" requiring certain bottles and cans to be purchased with a 5-cent deposit. The Returnable Container Act (RCA) in New York requires a 5-cent deposit on carbonated beverage, beer, water, and wine cooler containers. Consumers are refunded the deposit when they return containers with a New York refund label. This measure was originally intended to reduce littering and was considered successful. 

Types of Beverages Covered by NY's Bottle Bill

  • Carbonated Soft Drinks, including Sparkling Water     
  • Carbonated Energy Drinks
  • Carbonated Juice (anything less than 100% juice, containing added sugar or water)  
  • Carbonated Tea
  • Soda Water
  • Beer and Other Malt Beverages
  • Mineral Water - Both carbonated and non-carbonated mineral water
  • Wine Products
  • Water that does not contain sugar, including flavored or nutritionally enhanced water

Where are we now?

According to the NYSDEC, 65% of deposit bottles are returned on average, 7% were recycled through curbside pickup without redemption, and the remaining 29% were likely discarded in the trash. 

What do we do now?

If everyone in the North Country consumes one bottled beverage per day and only 65% of returnables are redeemed, then $1,603,262 in unclaimed redemptions are available annually in northern New York.

What are our options? 

  • When hosting an event, provide recycling bins next to the trash. People are more likely to recycle when it's convenient.
     
  • If you want to recycle without receiving cash, consider donating to a local cause through redemption centers.
     
  • Support local redemption centers. These small businesses want your business. 
     
  • If you rent out your property on Airbnb or have tenants, make sure to offer them quality recycling infrastructure and encourage them to recycle. Additionally, consider collecting their 5-cent deposits to cash in.
     
  • Operating a food truck? Place a recycling bin beside your trash. If other vendors aren't collecting cans and bottles, you could earn extra cash. 
     
  • Collect and cash in returnables to help those in need. Sharing your collection is a generous act.
     
  • Live next to a car wash or gas station? Offer to supply recycling bins and manage them for the business. People clean out their cars and put everything in the trash if there is no alternative.
     
  • If a bottle or can has something unpleasant in it, you may want to let it stay in the trash. 
     
  • Make sure to wear some personal protective equipment when handling litter and trash. Rubber gloves can go a long way for personal health.
     
  • Picking up litter can be great exercise. 
     
  • Remember, we all pay deposits on these bottles and cans. These funds are waiting to be returned to the economy. 

Save on trash and get that cash!

The Returnable Container Act has helped

  • reduce trash
  • save landfill space
  • keep parks and roadsides clean
  • conserve energy
  • recycle glass, plastic, and aluminum

A small deposit pays big dividends in the conservation of energy and valuable resources.

Redemption Rates and Other Features of 10 U.S. State Deposit Programs  https://www.bottlebill.org/images/PDF/BottleBill10states_Summary41321.pdf

NYSDEC on The Bottle Bill        NYSDEC on How to Become a Redemption Center