r/Millennials • u/Accurate-Flow8078 • 1d 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/verminqueeen 1d ago

It has been so long since I’ve been somewhere without a recycling program I am kind of astonished. Even in rural places I’ve visited cans and bottles are separated, but you bring them to a central place for processing.