Everything you need to know about bottle deposit programs in the US, Canada, Australia, UK, and New Zealand
What Is Cash for Bottles?
Cash for bottles programs, also called bottle deposits or container deposit schemes, let you get money back when you return empty drink containers. You pay a small deposit when you buy a drink, then get that money back when you return the empty bottle or can.
Think of it like borrowing the container. You pay extra upfront, use the drink, then return the empty container to get your deposit back. It’s a win-win: you get money and the environment gets cleaner.
These programs exist because they work incredibly well. Countries with bottle deposits see recycling rates jump from around 30-40% to 80-95%. That means fewer bottles littering streets and more materials getting recycled into new products.
🇺🇸 United States: The Original Bottle Bill States
Which States Have Cash for Bottles?
Currently, 10 states throughout the U.S. have a bottle bill: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.
How Much Can You Make?
- Most states: 5 cents per container
- Michigan and Oregon: 10 cents per container
- California: 5 cents for small containers, 10 cents for large ones
Michigan’s average return rate since 1990 has been 93%. Today, Oregon, Maine and Michigan have the highest return rates of the U.S. bottle bill states, achieving 87%, 77% and 73% respectively.
What Containers Are Eligible?
Generally includes:
- Soda and soft drink bottles and cans
- Beer and malt beverage containers
- Water bottles (in most states)
- Sports drinks and energy drinks
- Wine coolers and some alcoholic beverages
Where to Return Containers
You can return containers to:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Redemption centers
- Some reverse vending machines
Real-world outcome: The United States’ overall beverage container recycling rate is approximately 33%, while states with container deposit laws have a 70% average rate of beverage container recycling.
🇨🇦 Canada: Provincial Patchwork of Programs
Which Provinces Have Cash for Bottles?
Most Canadian provinces have some form of deposit system, but they vary widely:
British Columbia – Return-It System
- Deposit: 5-20 cents depending on container size
- Coverage: Almost all beverage containers
- Where to return: Return-It depot network across the province
Alberta
- Deposit: 10 cents for containers 1L or less, 25 cents for larger containers
- Coverage: All beverage containers
- Where to return: Bottle depots throughout the province
Quebec – Recently Expanded
As of March 1, you’ll be charged 10 cents on all your plastic bottles ranging from 100 millilitres to two litres. But you’ll get your money back if you return them to one of Quebec’s 3,500 participating retailers.
Ontario – Limited System
Ontario relies on a joint municipal and industry-funded curbside recycling system for all residential beverage containers. Alcohol beverage containers can also be returned for reuse/recycling through a deposit-return system.
What You Can Expect to Make
Canadian deposit amounts range from 5 cents to 25 cents per container, with larger containers typically worth more.
Real-world outcome: Provinces with comprehensive systems see return rates of 80-90%, while those without see much lower recycling rates.
🇦🇺 Australia: The Complete Continental Coverage
Which States Have Cash for Bottles?
By 2025, Australia will be the first continent to be fully covered by Container Deposit Schemes. All states and territories now have programs:
- South Australia: Started 1977 (the pioneer)
- Northern Territory: Started 2012
- New South Wales: Started 2017
- Australian Capital Territory: Started 2018
- Queensland: Started 2018
- Western Australia: Started 2020
- Victoria: Started November 2023
- Tasmania: TAS has announced it will deliver a Container Refund Scheme by mid-2025.
How Much Can You Make?
You get a 10 cent refund for every eligible drink container you return across all Australian schemes. This standardization makes it simple – every eligible container is worth exactly 10 cents.
What Containers Are Eligible?
Most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible. This includes:
- Soft drink bottles and cans
- Beer bottles and cans
- Water bottles
- Sports and energy drinks
- Juice containers
- Flavoured milk containers
Where to Return Containers
There are hundreds of refund points across Victoria, so look out for your local. The network has more than 600 refund points. Options include:
- Dedicated collection depots
- Reverse vending machines
- Some supermarkets and retailers
- Community collection points
Real-world outcome: South Australia leads the nation in the recovery, recycling and litter reduction of beverage containers with a current, overall return rate of 76% in 2022–23.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Coming Soon in 2027
Current Status
The deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, which will be introduced across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2027. Wales is developing its own separate scheme.
What the Program Will Look Like
The DRS will be introduced in October 2027, with 150ml to three-litre single-use drinks containers made from plastic and metal included in the scheme.
Covered Containers
- Plastic bottles (PET plastic)
- Aluminum cans
- Steel cans
- Not included: Glass bottles (except in Wales)
How It Will Work
Return points will have to offer at least one of the following options: paying to consumers in cash, by a payment to a debit or credit card, or with a refund voucher.
Expected Deposit Amount
The deposit amount hasn’t been set yet. The regulations do not set the level for the deposit return fee, referred to as the “relevant amount”. This will be determined by the DMO. Based on other countries, expect deposits of 10-25 pence per container.
Where You’ll Return Containers
The scheme will include special machines, known as reverse vending machines, as well as designated sites where people are able to return their bottles and cans and receive their money back.
Real-world outcome: International examples show that a deposit return scheme can become a simple part of daily life to make recycling easier, with recycling rates above 90% in Germany, Finland and Norway. Current recycling rates for drinks containers in the UK sit at around 70%.
🇳🇿 New Zealand: Still Waiting
Current Status
New Zealand currently has NO container deposit scheme in operation. 57 states and countries already run container deposit return schemes across Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Asia and Africa. 14 more are setting schemes up to recycle more and cover the real cost of recycling. New Zealand is becoming an outlier with low collection and recycling rates.
Public Support
A 2022 survey by Reloop showed 78% of New Zealanders want a scheme here for drink bottles, cans and cartons. 98% of the submissions received in the 2022 public consultation supported the government establishing a scheme.
What a Future System Might Look Like
Based on government consultations and advocacy proposals:
- Proposed deposit: 20 cents per container
- Coverage: All beverage containers including bottles, cans, and cartons
- Goal: Double the collection rate for bottles, cans and cartons from 45% to 90%
Timeline
The Government is investigating a container return scheme as one way of addressing the issue. However, there’s no firm timeline for implementation.
Real-world outcome: Every day 4.6 million drink bottles, cans and cartons get landfilled or littered in New Zealand. A deposit scheme could dramatically improve this situation.
💰 How Much Money Can You Actually Make?
Individual Household Earnings
The amount you can earn depends on how many containers your household uses:
Example: Average Family of Four
Weekly consumption: 20 bottles and cans
US (5¢ states): $1.00 per week = $52 per year
US (10¢ states): $2.00 per week = $104 per year
Canada: $1.00-2.50 per week = $52-130 per year
Australia: $2.00 per week = $104 per year
Serious Collectors Can Make More
Some people make significant money by collecting containers from various sources:
- Collecting from neighbors and friends
- Gathering containers from public spaces
- Organizing community collection drives
- Setting up collection points at events
While bottle bills were originally intended to incentivize people to return their own containers, the redemption value is often too low for them to bother. This has led to bottle redemption evolving into a lifeline for low-income people and the homeless.
🎯 Tips for Maximizing Your Cash for Bottles
Collection and Storage
- Keep containers clean: Rinse out sticky residue to prevent odors
- Don’t crush containers: Many machines can’t read damaged barcodes
- Sort by type: Keep bottles and cans separated for easier returns
- Store in bags or bins: Keep containers organized and easy to transport
Maximizing Returns
- Check labels: Only containers with deposit markings are eligible
- Save up for bulk returns: Make fewer trips with more containers
- Find convenient locations: Choose return points near your regular errands
- Check hours: Some locations have limited operating hours
Community Opportunities
- Organize neighborhood collections: Collect from multiple households
- Partner with local events: Collect containers after festivals or sports games
- School fundraisers: Many schools organize bottle drives
- Charity donations: Some programs let you donate refunds directly
🌍 Environmental Impact: Why This Matters
Recycling Rate Improvements
Container deposit schemes dramatically improve recycling rates:
- Germany: 97-99% return rate
- Norway: Over 90% return rate
- Michigan (US): 97% return rate
- Australia average: 76-90% depending on state
Litter Reduction
Since the Act went into effect, redemption rates have been an average of 65 percent and beverage container litter has been reduced by 70 percent. in New York State.
Quality of Recycled Materials
Containers recycled through CDS are turned into higher quality materials and products, than containers collected through co-mingled recycling services (such as your household recycling bin collected by your council).
🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Container-Related Mistakes
- Returning non-eligible containers: Check for deposit markings first
- Crushing or damaging containers: Machines need to read barcodes
- Forgetting caps and lids: Some programs want these left on
- Mixing programs: Don’t try to return containers from different states/provinces
Location and Timing Mistakes
- Not checking hours: Some locations have limited operating times
- Going to wrong locations: Not all stores accept returns
- Bringing too many at once: Some locations have daily limits
- Forgetting receipts: Keep vouchers and receipts safe
🔮 Future of Cash for Bottles Programs
Expanding Coverage
More places are adopting bottle deposit programs:
- UK launching in 2027: Will cover 65 million people
- European Union mandate: Member states must reach 90% collection rates
- More US states considering: Several states regularly propose bottle bills
- Technology improvements: Better reverse vending machines and apps
Technology Innovations
- Faster processing: New machines can handle 100+ containers per minute
- Mobile apps: Track returns and get digital receipts
- Bulk processing: “Bag dump” systems for large quantities
- Digital payments: Direct deposits to bank accounts or cards
📍 Where to Find Return Locations
United States
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Dedicated redemption centers
- Some big box retailers
Canada
- British Columbia: Return-It depot network
- Alberta: Bottle depot locations
- Quebec: 3,500+ participating retailers
Australia
- Dedicated collection depots
- Reverse vending machines in shopping centers
- Some supermarkets (like Coles with RVMs)
- Community collection points
💡 Getting Started: Your Action Plan
Step 1: Check Your Location
Find out if your area has a bottle deposit program and what containers are eligible.
Step 2: Set Up Collection
Create a simple system at home for storing eligible containers until you have enough for a return trip.
Step 3: Find Return Locations
Locate the most convenient return points near your home, work, or regular shopping areas.
Step 4: Make Your First Return
Start small with a few containers to learn the process, then scale up as you get comfortable.
Step 5: Expand Your Collection
Consider collecting from friends, family, or community events to increase your returns.
Conclusion: Small Change, Big Impact
Cash for bottles programs prove that small financial incentives can create big environmental changes. Whether you’re earning a few dollars a month from your own containers or making it a more serious collection effort, you’re participating in one of the most successful recycling programs ever created.
The money you earn is just the beginning. You’re also helping reduce litter, improve recycling rates, and support the circular economy. As more countries adopt these programs, the global impact will only grow.
If you live in an area with bottle deposits, start collecting today. If you don’t, consider advocating for these programs in your community. The combination of environmental benefits and personal earnings makes cash for bottles a win-win solution for everyone.
Quick Reference: Deposit Amounts by Country
United States: 5-10 cents per container
Canada: 5-25 cents depending on size and province
Australia: 10 cents per container (standardized)
United Kingdom: Coming 2027, amount TBD
New Zealand: No program yet, proposed 20 cents
Remember: every container you return is money in your pocket and one less piece of litter in the environment. Start collecting today and be part of the solution!
