Bottle & can return locations in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a 5¢ deposit on each covered can or bottle.

These drinks are covered, in cans or bottles under 2 gallons:

• Beer and malt drinks
• Soda and other soft drinks with bubbles
• Soda water and mineral water

Not covered: plain water, juice, sports drinks, tea, milk, wine and liquor.

A store can stop at 120 containers per person in 24 hours. Redemption centers set their own rules. Call ahead if you have a big load.

Yes. A store must take back empties of the kinds, sizes and brands it sold in the last 60 days. It must do this during all its open hours and pay the full 5¢. The law has no way for a store to opt out. A store can say no to containers that are dirty, not empty, badly crushed or not labeled for Massachusetts. Redemption centers can choose what they take and may keep a small fee.

The Massachusetts bottle bill (M.G.L. chapter 94, §§ 321 to 327) and its rules (301 CMR 4.00). MassDEP runs it. The Attorney General enforces it.

Read the full law