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Gates-redemption-center

Our Gates Redemption Center Reviews

Redemption centers have long ignored the customer service aspect of returning bottles and cans. At Upstate, we strive to be not only the fastest, but the friendliest and most honest Gates redemption center that we can. 5 star rating are our goal and we will settle for nothing less. But, don’t take our word for it, ask our customers.

 

Leslie RaedioLeslie Raedio
19:02 22 Mar 22
There are always younger guys working here when I go but they are always super nice and helpful. They never make me feel like I’m putting them out to do work. Thanks!
RobynRobyn
18:49 17 Mar 22
What a change from a couple months ago! There's completely new staff and management. It was extremely fast to go to and really clean inside!
Jamie GalaydaJamie Galayda
15:13 27 Dec 21
Employee absolutely hated his job and made it clear by his attitude toward everyone and seemed to make an effort to go as slow as he possibly could. Waited twenty minutes for him to count 3 garbage bags worth of bottles.Update:. I emailed the owner per their response on here and no, they didn't send a "coupon", nor did they respond to my email.
Tameesha GambleTameesha Gamble
21:59 11 Nov 21
The guys here are awesome. Fast, polite, and great customer service. Keep up the good work guys!!!!
Amanda KowalcykAmanda Kowalcyk
00:27 14 Jun 21
It was our first visit and we had a really good experience. We had 10 bags of bottles. The guy came out and helped unload some of the bags from our vehicle and then quickly counted our returns. I definitely recommend if you've been letting your bottles pile up. When we were leaving we noticed he came out and assisted another customer with unloading their bottles from their car. Great service! We will definitely be back. 🙂
Michael RicciutoMichael Ricciuto
14:17 01 Jun 21
Went there with a truck bed with bottles. The gentlemen helped bring them in and counted them very fast price was accurate. Great experience 🙂
Whuda DumppWhuda Dumpp
16:41 18 May 21
I'm loving this place and this is the first time visiting. If you live anywhere near Lyell Ave better come here. Clean ,fast and efficient, not to mention, its .06cents a bottle. PEACE...
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Gates Bottle Return FAQ

Who we are?
Do you hate wasting twice as much time at the store as you doing putting your bottles and cans into the machines? Do you also hate the long lines at unfriendly redemption centers? Fret no further, because Rochester’s fastest, cleanest & friendliest bottle return now has a Gates Redemption Center
What do we accept?
We buy back anything with a NYS 5 cent redemption mark on it. If you are unsure, check the lable of your bottle or can; or the top of the can. It will have the states that you can redeem the item in listed. 
What don't we accept?
  • Non-deposit bottles & cans
    • Gatorade
    • Iced Teas
    • Juice
    • Milk, etc. Our buyer’s plant does not process non-deposits.
  • Kegs
  • Growlers
  • Water cooler jugs
  • Crumpled or crunch items
  • Wrapperless items

Why no crushed or wrapperless items?

We have to sell the bottles and cans back based on average bag capacity per the size of the item. So, if we put crushed cans in our bags we are putting in a lot more than the average bag capacity and lose money. If we don’t have wrappers to identify the item, we can’t put it with the correct bags to be properly accounted. 

 

How do we make money?
We drink a lot of liquid! When the governor implemented the 2009 New York Bottle Bill, he knew the demand to return would be heavy. So, stores and redemption centers were incentivized to help by issuing a handling fee for every bottle and can taken in.
Do we take all recycling?

In a way, Our Gates Redemption Center can recycle the cardboard and plastic bags that you bring your recycling in. But, we cannot accept cardboard and plastic in bulk. Our intermediary won’t buy back non-drinking receptacles and the garbage bill would be too high to not charge you. Sorry!

We recommend taking all of your other recycling needs to ecopark. They can recycle most things for free, small fee can apply for more hazardous materials.  

 

Does it matter where I bought them?
The role of our Gates redemption center in the recycling process is not only to take in recycling but to sort it as well. Materials get sorted into bags by bottling company, material and size. They are then ready for resale and the deposit makes its way back to the right place.
What makes it depositable or not?

Embarrassingly enough we don’t know. We were unable to find any information on the motives for only including some of our drinking containers. But, an easy way to think about it is of its carbonated or water it probably has a deposit. If it’s not carbonated, it probably doesn’t have a deposit. There are exceptions to the rule however.

If the container has the mark of NY 5 cents, our Gates Redemption Center will take it.

 

What if my bags are gross?
We know your bottles and cans might get dirty & sticky from time to time and it’s OK, we have gloves! We just ask that you try your best not mix in excess garbage. However, for sanitary reasons we cannot accept insect infected bags or rotting food.
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