How Much Are My Cans Worth?
TL;DR: Each can is worth 5¢ in most deposit states (NY, MA, IA, HI) or 10¢ in Michigan, Oregon, and Connecticut. California pays 5¢ for containers under 24 oz and 10¢ for 24 oz and larger. As scrap aluminum in non-deposit states, a can is worth roughly 2¢ (~$0.50–0.60/lb) — about 2.5–5× less than deposit value. Always return for deposit if your state has a bottle bill.
Last updated: March 2026
The value of your cans depends on two things: where you live and how you're redeeming them. In the 10 US states with bottle deposit laws, you get 5-15 cents per container. In other states, you can sell cans as scrap aluminum for about 2 cents each.
Use the calculator below to see exactly what your collection is worth.
Don't know your count? Use
CNTEM'UP to count your cans with your phone camera — then plug the number in above.
Deposit Value vs. Scrap Value
There are two ways to get money for aluminum cans: deposit return and scrap recycling. The difference is massive.
| Method |
Per Can |
Per 100 Cans |
Per 1,000 Cans |
| 10¢ deposit (MI, OR, CT) |
10.0¢ |
$10.00 |
$100.00 |
| 5¢ deposit (NY, CA, MA, etc) |
5.0¢ |
$5.00 |
$50.00 |
| Scrap aluminum |
~1.9¢ |
$1.88 |
$18.75 |
Bottom line: if your state has a bottle deposit, always return containers for the deposit — never sell them as scrap. A 5-cent deposit is worth 2.5x more than scrap, and a 10-cent deposit is worth 5x more.
Value by State — Quick Reference
| State |
Standard Deposit |
100 Cans |
500 Cans |
1,000 Cans |
| Michigan | 10¢ | $10 | $50 | $100 |
| Oregon | 10¢ | $10 | $50 | $100 |
| Connecticut | 10¢ | $10 | $50 | $100 |
| California | 5¢ / 10¢ | $5-10 | $25-50 | $50-100 |
| New York | 5¢ | $5 | $25 | $50 |
| Maine | 5¢ / 15¢ | $5-15 | $25-75 | $50-150 |
| Vermont | 5¢ / 15¢ | $5-15 | $25-75 | $50-150 |
| Massachusetts | 5¢ | $5 | $25 | $50 |
| Iowa | 5¢ | $5 | $25 | $50 |
| Hawaii | 5¢ | $5 | $25 | $50 |
| Non-deposit states | Scrap only | $1.88 | $9.38 | $18.75 |
Scrap Aluminum Prices (2026)
If you don't live in a bottle deposit state, you can still recycle aluminum cans for cash at scrap yards. Here's what to expect:
| Metric |
Value |
| Cans per pound | ~32 cans |
| Price per pound (2026 avg) | $0.50 – $0.65 |
| Price per can (scrap) | ~1.5¢ – 2¢ |
| Pounds for $10 | ~16-20 lbs (~530 cans) |
| Pounds for $100 | ~160-200 lbs (~5,300 cans) |
Scrap prices fluctuate with the aluminum commodity market. Check with your local scrap yard for today's rate. Prices tend to be higher in summer months.
Count Your Cans in Seconds
Stop hand-counting. CNTEM'UP uses your phone camera to count containers as you sort them — just slide cans past the camera.
Count My Cans Free →
Tips to Maximize Your Can Value
- Don't crush cans if you're returning for deposit — machines need to scan the barcode
- DO crush cans if selling as scrap — saves space and scrap yards pay by weight anyway
- Separate by material — aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles may have different redemption processes
- Count before you go — know your total so you can verify the redemption center's count
- Check for large containers — in California, 24oz+ containers are worth 10¢ instead of 5¢
- Store cans dry — wet or sticky cans attract bugs and make counting harder
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much are my cans worth?
- In deposit states: 5-15 cents each depending on your state and container type. In non-deposit states: about 1.5-2 cents each as scrap aluminum (~$0.50-0.65 per pound, 32 cans per pound).
- How much is 1,000 cans worth?
- $100 in 10-cent states (Michigan, Oregon, Connecticut). $50 in 5-cent states (New York, Massachusetts, Iowa, Hawaii). About $18-20 as scrap aluminum in non-deposit states.
- Is it better to return cans for deposit or sell as scrap?
- Always return for deposit if your state has a bottle bill. A 5-cent deposit is worth 2.5x more than scrap, and a 10-cent deposit is worth 5x more. Only sell as scrap if your state doesn't have a deposit law.
- How many cans are in a pound?
- Approximately 32 empty aluminum cans weigh one pound. This is a useful number for calculating scrap value.
- How do I count a lot of cans quickly?
- Use CNTEM'UP — prop up your phone, start the camera counter, and slide cans past the screen. The app counts each one automatically using camera detection.
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