Bottle/Glass recycling - any possible ecological benefits to bringing them to the supermarket?

Do you mean putting them in with the regular trash which you leave at the curb for pickup or do you mean putting them separately in their own container?

When I lived in Phila. there were separate containers for glass recyclables so that’s how they went to the curb. PA is not a bottle deposit state.

Here in Michigan, the deposit is $.10 per bottle or can. That really adds up; so we always take them to the store. And I believe it’s illegal to put them in with the rest of the trash at the curb.

So, I guess the answer to the Q depends upon which state one lives in. Because of it’s higher deposit rate, Michigan has the highest rate of compliance; somewhere in the high ninetieth percentile. You just don’t see bottles and cans strewn all over the place littering the highways as is common in other states. I can only conclude that the extra five cents per unit really makes a measurable difference.

Even if some people are inclined to toss them without caring about getting the deposit back, there will always be some enterprising souls ready and willing to pick them up and take them back to the store just to make a few extra bucks. The system really works. I don’t know why more states don’t do likewise since it works so well. It’s a mystery to me.

Most of our glass bottles, plastic and aluminium cans have a deposit value. Our grocery stores have these cool machines that you put the cans and bottles into and they read the value and print you out a receipt. You can take that to the cash register and get a the money or use it like a coupon toward your shopping.

If you bring them to the store when you are shopping, the trucks that deliver the full bottles can return with the empties. No extra trips are required. That is most efficient.

I lived in Michigan and agree with @Buttonstc, it is weird that more states don’t adopt deposit laws. Litter disappears and you can always scare up a little money by collecting containers.

When it was new people freaked out as if the bottle bill would end capitalism or something.

But I haven’t heard a complaint about it for 30 years.

@cazzie, they have the machines in Michigan, too. Kids love to feed the machines.

@jaytkay @cazzie We have the machines, too. Even adults love to feed the goats!
I take out-of-state visitors to see them.

The machines are great. But can get smelly.

Yeah. I think I’m going to try the supermarket route. I’m not in Michigan – it’s only a nickel here, but the way my family tears through recyclables, it will should add up. Thanks!