Do Redemption Centers Take All Recycling?

Do Redemption Centers Take All Recycling?

At Upstate Bottle Return we get this question all the time: Do redemption centers take all recycling? Short answer: no.

What we do not accept is general household recycling: 

• mixed paper
• food-soiled containers
• bulk plastics not marked redeemable
• Electronics
• glass that isn’t labeled for deposit
• scrap metal
• Textiles
• Appliances
• Batteries
• household hazardous waste
• Etc.

We accept beverage containers that qualify under the New York State Returnable Container Act, bottles and cans with the 5 cent deposit. Those are the items people bring to get money back: soda, water, beer, etc that display the refund label.

When customers arrive we only process redeemable containers. They must be intact, reasonably clean, and clearly labeled as returnable in New York. We count, sort, and prepare them for redemption through the state-approved channels. That business is how we stay open and pay staff.

The boxes and bags customers bring their redeemables in, cardboard boxes, paper bags, and plastic bags, we recycle those as part of the service. However, the cost to accept recyclable materials in bulk would eat up the majority of our operating profits. 

Those items require different sorting, processing, and disposal channels than deposit containers. The one exception is that we do take back non-deposit aluminum cans and plastic bottles such as iced teas and sports drinks. We cannot reimburse a deposit for those items, as there was never one charged to begin with. But, we can send those back to the same factory to be recycled properly. We do not receive any compensation for sending back non-deposit bottles and cans.

Why Don’t Bottle Returns Accept All Recycling?

The core reason is economics and practicality. Redemption centers operate on thin margins tied to the deposit system. We get paid to return containers that carry a deposit value. General recycling carries little to no immediate return for us, and accepting it would create labor, storage, and hauling costs we can’t recoup.

Accepting non-deposit materials also raises logistical issues. Mixed recycling needs extensive sorting, has contamination concerns, and often requires pickup by municipal or private recyclers that charge fees. Adding those services would increase overhead, slow down customer service, and could force us to raise prices or close — outcomes that hurt the community’s redemption options.

If you need to recycle non-deposit items in New York, I recommend using municipal curbside recycling, drop-off centers run by the city or county, or specialized recycling programs for electronics, batteries, and hazardous materials. Local government websites list where to bring specific items, such as eco-park in Rochester.

If you’re unsure whether a bottle or can is redeemable, ask us before unloading. Look for a 5 cent deposit label engraved in the top of aluminum cans, or check the container’s labeling for the “NY” marking. When in doubt, we’ll check and tell you if it qualifies.

We happily take redeemable bottles and cans and recycle the boxes and bags you bring them in. We do not accept general recycling because there’s no deposit value to cover the extra cost and labor. That’s why our doors stay open to serve you and keep the deposit system working. distributors for providing the service.

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