{"id":5895,"date":"2018-05-25T18:50:11","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T18:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.autotradethemasters.com\/?p=5895"},"modified":"2025-05-15T12:52:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T12:52:18","slug":"how-to-make-money-recycling-cans-great-for-kids-and-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.autotradethemasters.com\/index.php\/2018\/05\/25\/how-to-make-money-recycling-cans-great-for-kids-and-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Money Recycling Cans (Great for Kids and Teens!)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Collect all<\/em> the cans!<\/h2>\n

Did you know that your recyclables can make you money? By scrapping aluminum cans at recycling centers, you can actually turn a small profit! While you won\u2019t become wealthy from collecting cans, we\u2019re here to show you how to earn some extra money by recycling those cans (it\u2019s a great option for kids and teens, too, like this 7-year-old with his own recycling business<\/a>)!<\/p>\n

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What is aluminum recycling redemption?<\/h2>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

Have you ever heard of metal scrappers or watched people pick up what looks like junk metal to sell to scrap yards? Well, you can do that, too, and with a simple household product \u2014 aluminum cans! While it works on a much smaller scale, aluminum recycling\u00a0lets you sell your scrap aluminum based on two methods, depending on where you live: deposit refunds or its current value.<\/p>\n

What is a deposit refund?<\/em><\/h5>\n

Certain states have\u00a0bottle bills<\/a>, also known as container deposit laws, which put a set minimum amount owed on every returned can. When a customer buys certain packaged beverages, they pay a deposit on each container up front (between $0.05 to $0.10 per piece depending on the container and state). Why is this policy put in place? The goal is to reduce litter, ease burden on solid waste facilities, and encourage recycling activity.<\/p>\n

Bottles will have the refund information printed on the label though most cans do not. When purchasing eligible containers, it will show up on your receipt as a separate item letting you know you were charged a deposit, therefore allowing you to return those cans to get the deposit back. And just a heads up \u2014 it is illegal<\/em> to purchase containers in one state and attempt to return to receive a refund in another (we\u2019re looking at you Kramer and Newman<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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The states that have bottle bills are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont. The details of the program vary from state to state<\/a>\u00a0whether it\u2019s the type of beverage accepted or the amount of the deposit. For example, I live in New York where the eligible cans or bottles must have contained carbonated soft drinks, soda water, beer and other malt beverages, wine products, or water which does not contain sugar (including flavored or nutritionally enhanced water) all for $0.05 a piece.<\/p>\n

So, technically<\/em> you\u2019re not making any money when you return the cans you already paid a deposit on, but<\/strong> by not returning the cans, you\u2019re leaving money on the table! AND if you can find empty cans from other sources, it\u2019s a money-making bonus!<\/p>\n

The return process is easy. Either search for recycling redemption centers near you or check if your local grocery store has automated recycling machines on site (lots do!).<\/p>\n

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But I don\u2019t live in one of those states\u2026<\/em><\/h5>\n

No worries! You can still return your cans to aluminum recycling centers in your area to receive a payout based on the current price of aluminum. Do a search in your local Yellow Pages, Google, or websites like recyclingcenters.org<\/a>. Be sure to check reviews as well since recycling centers may pay out different prices for your cans.<\/p>\n

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How much can I make recycling cans?<\/h2>\n

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According to\u00a0Scrap Sales USA,<\/a> expect to earn around $0.36 a pound<\/strong>\u00a0in non-bottle bill states (loosely based on the current value of aluminum cans which fluctuates frequently).\u00a0 That average comes from how most recycling centers determine their price, which is 50% of the current scrap aluminum rate (currently $0.65-$0.85). The other 50% is their cut for their efforts and for the recycling process.<\/p>\n

The good news is the payout is negotiable so you have a little say in what you\u2019ll make!<\/p>\n

AND if you redeem in a state with<\/em> a bottle bill, a 30-gallon trash bag filled with NON-CRUSHED* cans will yield between $6 \u2013 12<\/strong>. Not bad!<\/p>\n

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Hip Tip:<\/strong> If you aren\u2019t getting paid out on the date you turn in cans, get your set per pound price in writing<\/em>, just in case the price of aluminum changes later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What kind of cans are eligible for recycling?<\/h2>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

In addition to the obvious beverage cans, you can also redeem other common aluminum packages:<\/p>\n