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Bottle Deposit Near Me — Where to Return Cans & Bottles for Cash

TL;DR: Bottle returns are only available in 10 US states (NY, CA, CT, HI, IA, MA, ME, MI, OR, VT). Most grocery stores in deposit states are legally required to accept returns; stores in CA can opt out if a certified recycler is nearby. In Oregon, use the BottleDrop app to find locations; in California, search CalRecycle.ca.gov; in NY, most grocery stores and bodegas accept up to 240 containers per person per day.

Last updated: February 2026

Looking to return your bottles and cans for cash? You need to be in one of the 10 US states with bottle deposit laws. Below is a complete guide to finding redemption locations near you — whether that's a grocery store, a standalone center, or a reverse vending machine.

Before you go, count your containers with CNTEM'UP so you know exactly what you're owed.

Quick Lookup: Where to Return by State

StateDepositWhere to Return
New York5¢Grocery stores, bodegas, redemption centers
California5¢/10¢Recycling centers (CalRecycle.ca.gov to find)
Michigan10¢Any retailer that sells beverages
Oregon10¢BottleDrop centers, grocery stores
Connecticut10¢Grocery stores, package stores
Massachusetts5¢Grocery stores, redemption centers
Maine5–15¢Redemption centers (required by law)
Vermont5–15¢Any retailer, redemption centers
Iowa5¢Grocery stores, redemption centers
Hawaii5¢Certified redemption centers

How to Find Redemption Centers Near You

1. Google Maps (Works Everywhere)

Open Google Maps and search for any of these terms:

Google will show locations with hours, reviews, and directions. Look for places with high ratings — some centers are faster and less crowded than others.

2. Your Grocery Store

In most deposit states, any store that sells beverages is legally required to accept returns. Look for reverse vending machines (the big machines near the entrance) or ask customer service. Major chains with return machines include:

3. State-Specific Tools

New York

Most bodegas, grocery stores, and delis accept returns. NYC has dozens of standalone redemption centers — some open 24/7 in neighborhoods like the Bronx and Brooklyn. Search "bottle refund center NYC" on Maps for the closest one.

California

Use the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling directory at CalRecycle.ca.gov to find certified recycling centers by zip code. Note: California pays by weight at some centers, not per-container.

Michigan

Michigan has the highest deposit rate (10¢) and the simplest system. Any retailer that sells beverages must accept returns. Just bring your cans to any grocery store's bottle return room. Meijer and Kroger locations have the most machines.

Oregon

Download the BottleDrop app and find the nearest BottleDrop center. Oregon also lets you drop bags at green BottleDrop kiosks at grocery stores — the refund goes to your BottleDrop account automatically.

Maine

Maine is unique — redemption centers are separate businesses, not inside grocery stores. They're everywhere though. Search Maps for "bottle redemption" in your area. Maine also pays 15¢ for wine and liquor bottles.

Know What You're Owed Before You Go

Count your bottles and cans with your phone camera before heading to the redemption center. No more guessing, no more getting shorted.

Count My Cans Free →

Types of Return Locations

TypeHow It WorksProsCons
Reverse Vending Machine Feed containers one at a time, get receipt Accurate count, at grocery stores Slow for large quantities, machines jam
Redemption Center Drop off bags, staff counts (or by weight) Fast for large loads, some pay cash May pay by weight (less per can)
BottleDrop (Oregon) Drop labeled bags at kiosks, auto-credited No waiting, drops to your account Oregon only, need BottleDrop account
Retailer / Grocery Store Customer service or bottle room Convenient, everywhere Some have daily limits (e.g., 240/day)

Tips for Getting the Most Back

Count before you go

Use CNTEM'UP to count containers with your phone camera. If a center counts by weight, you'll know if their payout matches your actual count.

Don't crush your cans

Most reverse vending machines scan barcodes and reject crushed cans. Keep containers intact unless your specific redemption center confirms they accept crushed. When in doubt, don't crush.

Go early or mid-week

Redemption centers and bottle rooms are busiest on weekends. Tuesday-Thursday mornings are the fastest times.

Separate by material

Some centers want aluminum, plastic, and glass separated. Sorting at home saves time at the center and avoids rejected loads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I return bottles and cans near me?
In bottle deposit states, you can return containers at grocery store reverse vending machines, standalone redemption centers, BottleDrop locations (Oregon), or municipal recycling drop-off points. Most grocery stores in deposit states are required by law to accept returns.
Do all grocery stores accept bottle returns?
In most bottle deposit states, grocery stores that sell beverages are legally required to accept empty container returns. However, some states allow stores to opt out if a redemption center is nearby. Always check your state's specific rules.
How do I find a bottle redemption center near me?
Search Google Maps for "bottle redemption center" or "can return near me." In Oregon, use the BottleDrop app. In California, check CalRecycle.ca.gov. In New York, search for "bottle refund" on Maps.
Can I return bottles from another state?
No — returning containers purchased in a different state is illegal deposit fraud. States like Connecticut actively scan for cross-border returns. Only return containers purchased in the state where you're redeeming them.
What if the machine rejects my container?
Common reasons: barcode is damaged or unreadable, container wasn't sold in that state, or the container type isn't covered (like milk or juice in some states). Crushed cans are rejected by most machines — always return containers intact. Try a different machine or ask staff at a redemption center.

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