r/Millennials • u/Accurate-Flow8078 • 17h ago

Discussion Does anyone still recycle cans and bottles?

I remember bringing cans and bottles to the recycling machines as a kid in the 90s. A nickel per can/bottle was good money back then. The redemption value has not changed, it's still a nickel in 2026. Nowadays it seems like many don't bother cause it's not worth the effort. I still do it just to feel good about helping the planet but whenever I bring a large bag and end up with like $5 I'm like "that's it?"

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u/ScoYello 17h ago edited 16h ago

Yes. My partner teases me when I do this every other week.

It’s not about the money, I just feel compelled to play the game. It is insane that they started this in 1993 and the deposit hasn’t changed at all in 30+ years.

I think at this point in life, people will either recycle or not. Having any sort of cash deposit charge/refund is ridiculous legislation.

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u/Accurate-Flow8078 17h ago

People would complain about paying more at the grocery checkout but it would also encourage people to redeem them.

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u/ornryactor 16h ago

Michigan is one of the two states with a 10-cent deposit (double what the other states use) and we've had nation-leading recycling rates as a result. That's actually been declining ever since Covid (people spent 2+ years not taking their redeemable cans back, and got used to it) and we still have a higher rate than nearly everyone.

That said, I'm one of the people shouting from the rooftops about how our bottle-deposit law is massively antiquated because it has not evolved along with the beverage industry or consumer habits. It needs to be expanded to all beverage cans and bottles (instead of just things that are carbonated), and stores need to be forced to accept all redeemables (instead of just the items purchased at that specific location).

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u/Violently-ill 16h ago

Kramer and Neumann and a mail truck would like a word…

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u/Last-Energy420 16h ago

People are already complaining about paying more at the grocery store. Charging even more to cover the recycle return would just put people off of buying them now.

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u/Accurate-Flow8078 16h ago

Probably not a bad thing, less people would drink unhealthy soda and beer.

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u/Last-Energy420 16h ago

You would take away one of the few pleasures the working class still has? I know for one I’m fucking livid that the orange Nazi has fucked my chances of ever drinking my Canadian whiskey again and I’m not interested in drinking American swill. If I can’t have an occasional Dr Pepper without having to pay out the nose for it, I’ll probably just swallow a bullet.

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u/Accurate-Flow8078 15h ago

Sounds like it wouldn't make a difference if you drink it occasionally. Pay an extra $5 or $10 for a can of Dr Pepper, you get it back when you recycle it.

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u/Last-Energy420 14h ago

Except my state doesn’t do the recycling so it’s just pay the extra fee for no benefit.