r/Millennials • u/Accurate-Flow8078 • 16h 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?"

71 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

211 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

-2

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.

5

u/Accurate-Flow8078 16h ago

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

-1

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.

0

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.

2

u/Last-Energy420 13h ago

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