Skip to content

🌱 Turn empties into cash

Bottle return & can return near me

Find where to return bottles and cans for your deposit refund. Search 7,798 return locations (redemption centers, recycling centers and stores that take back deposit containers) across 2,320 cities in California, Michigan, New York, Iowa, Connecticut, Oregon, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Hawaii, with addresses, hours, phone numbers and directions.

Popular: Los Angeles San Diego Sacramento Grand Rapids Rochester

Choose your state

How bottle return works

  1. Find a return spotSearch your ZIP or city to see nearby return locations.
  2. Check the hoursEach listing shows hours, phone and directions. Call ahead to be safe.
  3. Get your refundBring rinsed bottles and cans and collect your deposit refund (CRV in California).

Bottle return FAQ

How do bottle deposits work?

You pay a small deposit on each drink can or bottle when you buy it. It is 5¢ to 10¢ for most cans and bottles in the states on this site. California calls it CRV. You get the money back when you return the empty to a store, redemption center or recycling center. Cans you put in a curbside or public recycling bin do not earn you a refund.

Which states have bottle deposits?

Ten U.S. states have bottle deposit laws: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont. This site covers all ten:

  • California: 5¢ or 10¢ (CRV)
  • Michigan: 10¢
  • New York: 5¢
  • Iowa: 5¢
  • Connecticut: 10¢
  • Oregon: 10¢
  • Maine: 5¢ (15¢ for most wine and liquor)
  • Vermont: 5¢ (15¢ for liquor)
  • Massachusetts: 5¢
  • Hawaii: 5¢ (plus a 1¢ fee you do not get back)
Do I need a receipt to return bottles and cans?

No. Your refund comes from the deposit label on the can, not from where you bought it. In New York, stores must refund brands they sell even if you bought them somewhere else. In Michigan, stores must take back any kind, size and brand they sell.

Is there a limit on how many containers I can return?

Often, yes. It depends on the state and the place:

  • Michigan: stores can stop at $25 per person per day.
  • New York: stores with a sign can stop at 240 per person per day.
  • Connecticut: store machines take up to 240 at one time.
  • Oregon: from 24 to 350 a day, depending on the store.
  • Maine: stores can stop at 240 per person per day.
  • Vermont: no daily limit in the law.
  • Massachusetts: stores can stop at 120 per person in 24 hours.
  • Hawaii: no count limit, but big loads may be paid by weight. You can ask for a hand count for 200 or fewer.
  • California: recycling centers count up to 50 of each material per visit. They pay for bigger loads by weight.

See each state page for details.

What condition do containers need to be in?

Bring them empty, with the deposit label easy to read. A store can say no to containers that:

  • Are broken or rusted
  • Still have liquid or other stuff inside
  • Do not have the state's refund label

New York and Connecticut law spell this out. California recycling centers only pay CRV on loads that have only CRV containers. Rinsing them first is a good idea.

Do all stores take bottle returns?

It depends on the state.

  • Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts: stores that sell deposit drinks usually must take back the brands they sell.
  • Iowa, Oregon and Maine: many grocery stores can opt out when a redemption center is nearby. So we only list redemption centers, BottleDrop return spots and CLYNK bag drops there.
  • California: most returns go to state-certified recycling centers.
  • Hawaii: most stores do not have to take returns. We list the state-certified redemption centers.
How do I find a bottle return near me?

Type your city or ZIP code in the search box above, or pick your state. Each listing shows the address, phone number, hours (when we have them) and a directions link. Hours can change, so call ahead.