Bottle & Can Counter
Last updated: February 2026
Ten US states (plus Guam) have bottle deposit laws — also called "bottle bills." When you buy a beverage in these states, you pay a small deposit (usually 5 or 10 cents). Return the empty container and you get that money back.
If you collect bottles and cans — whether as a side hustle, fundraiser, or full-time income — knowing the rates matters. Here's every state, what they pay, and what containers qualify.
| State | Deposit | Containers Covered | Return Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 10¢ | Beer, soda, carbonated drinks | ~73% |
| Oregon | 10¢ | Beer, soda, water, juice, coffee, tea, kombucha | ~87% |
| Connecticut | 10¢ | Beer, soda, water, tea, hard cider, coffee | ~50% |
| California | 5¢ / 10¢ | Most beverages. 10¢ for 24oz+ | ~59% |
| New York | 5¢ | Beer, soda, water, wine coolers | ~64% |
| Maine | 5¢ / 15¢ | Beer, soda, water, juice, wine. 15¢ for wine/liquor | ~77% |
| Massachusetts | 5¢ | Beer, soda, malt beverages, water | ~47% |
| Vermont | 5¢ / 15¢ | Beer, soda, malt beverages. 15¢ for liquor | ~72% |
| Iowa | 5¢ | Beer, soda, water, wine coolers | ~61% |
| Hawaii | 5¢ | Most beverages including juice, tea, coffee | ~70% |
Use your phone camera to count containers as they pass by. Free to use.
Start Counting Free →Michigan has the highest deposit rate in the country at 10 cents. This makes bottle drives a popular fundraising method for schools and sports teams. At 10 cents each, 1,000 cans = $100. Michigan's 93% average return rate since 1990 is the highest in the nation.
Oregon was the first state to pass a bottle bill in 1971. They raised the deposit from 5¢ to 10¢ in 2017. Oregon covers the widest range of beverages including juice, coffee, tea, and kombucha. BottleDrop centers accept up to 144 containers per visit.
Connecticut raised its deposit from 5¢ to 10¢ in January 2024, doubling the value overnight. This led to a surge in cross-border returns from neighboring states like Massachusetts and New York, prompting a fraud crackdown in 2026.
California's CRV (California Redemption Value) system covers most beverages. Containers under 24oz pay 5¢ and containers 24oz and over pay 10¢. As the most populous bottle bill state, California has the largest recycling market. You can redeem at certified recycling centers.
New York's bottle bill covers beer, soda, water, and wine coolers. NYC has a massive canner community — thousands of people collect cans as a primary or supplemental income. There is active legislation to raise the deposit to 10¢ and expand covered beverages. At 5¢ each, 2,000 cans = $100.
Maine has the most varied deposit rates: 5¢ for most containers, 15¢ for wine and liquor bottles. The CLYNK system lets you bag containers at home with a barcode and drop them at participating stores — the count is done for you. Maine achieves a ~77% return rate.
Massachusetts covers carbonated beverages, beer, and water. The state has been considering expanding the bottle bill to include non-carbonated beverages and raising the deposit to 10¢.
Vermont was actually the first state to pass a bottle bill back in 1953. Standard deposit is 5¢ with 15¢ for liquor bottles. Vermont achieves a solid ~72% return rate.
Iowa's bottle bill covers beer, soda, water, and wine coolers. Retailers must accept returns and pay the deposit. The state has redemption centers that make bulk returns easier.
Hawaii's "HI-5" program covers the broadest range of beverages including juice, tea, coffee, and sports drinks. The 5¢ deposit applies to all container sizes. Hawaii achieves a ~70% return rate.
| Deposit Rate | Cans for $10 | Cans for $50 | Cans for $100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5¢ states | 200 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| 10¢ states | 100 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 15¢ (wine/liquor) | 67 | 334 | 667 |
A typical grocery bag holds about 30-40 cans. A large trash bag holds about 200-300 cans. So in a 10¢ state like Michigan, one full trash bag of cans is worth $20-30.
CNTEM'UP uses your phone camera to count bottles and cans as you sort them. Know exactly how much you'll get before you go to the redemption center.
Try CNTEM'UP Free →Several states are actively considering passing bottle deposit laws or expanding existing ones:
Internationally, Singapore is launching a deposit return system in April 2026 with 10-cent deposits and over 1,000 collection machines.