NYC Bottle Deposit Guide (2026)
TL;DR: New York's bottle deposit is 5¢ per container (beer, soda, sparkling water — not wine or juice). NYC has an estimated 4,000–8,000+ active canners; Sure We Can in Brooklyn (219 McKibbin St) serves ~900 canners weekly and is the most canner-friendly redemption center in the city. Most stores accept up to 240 containers per person per day. The Bigger Better Bottle Bill proposes doubling the deposit to 10¢ but has not passed as of 2026.
Last updated: March 2026
New York City has an estimated 4,000 to 8,000+ canners — people who collect bottles and cans for the deposit refund. Whether you're a full-time canner, running a bottle drive fundraiser, or just want to return your empties, this guide covers everything about NYC bottle deposits.
NYC Bottle Deposit Rates
| Container Type | Deposit | Covered? |
|---|
| Beer cans/bottles | 5¢ | Yes |
| Soda cans/bottles | 5¢ | Yes |
| Sparkling water | 5¢ | Yes |
| Plain water bottles | 5¢ | Yes (since 2009) |
| Wine bottles | — | No |
| Liquor bottles | — | No |
| Juice (non-carbonated) | — | No |
| Milk/dairy containers | — | No |
Key rule: Stores in NY that sell beverages covered by the deposit law must accept returns of the same type and brand they sell, up to 240 containers per person per day. They can't refuse you.
Where to Return Bottles in NYC
Sure We Can (Brooklyn) — The Canner Hub
219 McKibbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Sure We Can is a nonprofit redemption center and the heart of NYC's canning community. They serve roughly 900 canners per week and offer more than just redemption — it's a community space with storage, water, and restrooms for canners.
They accept all deposit containers and pay the full 5¢ refund. No brand restrictions, no attitude. If you're a canner in Brooklyn, this is your spot.
Grocery Store Reverse Vending Machines
Most large grocery stores (Key Food, C-Town, Associated, Stop & Shop) have reverse vending machines that accept cans and bottles. You feed containers in, get a receipt, and redeem at the register. Limit: 240 containers per visit.
Bodegas and Small Stores
By law, any store that sells deposit beverages must accept returns. In practice, many bodegas push back on large volumes. Know your rights — 240 per day per store is the law. Bring clean, uncrushed containers for best results.
Find more redemption locations: Bottle deposit near me guide
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NYC Canner Tips
Best Collection Times
Recycling is put out the night before collection. In most NYC neighborhoods, that means bags hit the curb between 4 PM and 8 PM the night before trash day. Check your neighborhood's collection schedule on the DSNY website. Early morning (before 6 AM on pickup day) is also prime time.
High-Volume Spots
- Bar and restaurant blocks — Huge volume after weekends
- Event venues — After concerts, games, festivals
- College campuses — Especially move-out week (May/June)
- Parks after holidays — July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day
- Apartment recycling areas — Large buildings = steady supply
Sorting & Counting
Sort as you collect — keep cans separate from bottles. Crushed cans work in reverse vending machines, but don't crush bottles. Count as you bag: a standard garbage bag holds ~200-240 cans. For exact counts, use faster counting methods.
Transport
Shopping carts are the NYC canner standard, but laundry carts and hand trucks also work. If you have a car, you can collect from multiple neighborhoods and redeem in bulk. Some canners use the subway off-peak — bulky but legal.
The 5¢ to 10¢ Proposal
The Bigger Better Bottle Bill is a proposed update to New York's 1982 bottle deposit law. Key changes:
- Deposit increase: 5¢ → 10¢ per container
- Expanded coverage: Would add wine, liquor, juice, sports drinks, and more
- Impact on canners: Would double earnings overnight — 1,000 cans = $100 instead of $50
The bill has been introduced multiple times in the NY State Legislature. As of 2026, it has not passed but continues to gain support from environmental groups, waste reduction advocates, and the canning community.
What 10¢ would mean: Michigan already has a 10¢ deposit and boasts a
90%+ return rate — the highest in the country. New York's current return rate is around 65%. A higher deposit means more money for canners and fewer containers in landfills. See:
Michigan's 10¢ deposit guide
NYC Canning by the Numbers
| Metric | Estimate |
|---|
| Active NYC canners | 4,000 - 8,000+ |
| Containers redeemed in NY annually | ~5.5 billion |
| Deposit rate | 5¢ |
| Daily earnings (full-time canner) | $20 - $50+ |
| Cans needed for $50/day | 1,000 |
| Sure We Can weekly visitors | ~900 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How much is the NYC bottle deposit?
- New York's bottle deposit is 5¢ per container. This applies to beer, soda, water, and other carbonated beverages. There's an active proposal to increase it to 10¢.
- Where can I return bottles in NYC?
- Grocery stores with reverse vending machines, bodegas (any store that sells deposit beverages must accept returns), and dedicated redemption centers like Sure We Can in Brooklyn (219 McKibbin St). Stores must accept up to 240 containers per person per day.
- How many canners are in NYC?
- Estimates range from 4,000 to 8,000+ active canners. The community is strongest in Brooklyn and Manhattan, centered around redemption centers like Sure We Can.
- Will the NYC bottle deposit increase to 10¢?
- The Bigger Better Bottle Bill proposes raising it from 5¢ to 10¢ and expanding covered beverages. It has been introduced multiple times but has not passed as of 2026. It continues to gain support.
- What bottles can you return in NYC?
- Beer, soda, sparkling water, and water bottles (5¢ each). Wine, liquor, juice, milk, and non-carbonated beverages are NOT currently covered by NY's deposit law.
- How much can an NYC canner make per day?
- Full-time canners typically earn $20-$50+ per day. At 5¢ per container, that's 400-1,000 containers per day. Experienced canners with good routes can exceed this. See: How many cans to make $100
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