Ever notice that little CRV information on the back of your Coke bottle? I always thought it would be cool to be able to turn those in for actual money. I didn't realize back then that they charge that amount when a beverage is purchased, so it is really just your own money you get back when you take the time to turn it in.
That's actually the great part for us- we hardly EVER buy bottled beverages. But we are very big on recycling as well as picking up litter when we see it on the ground at the playground, etc. So we started bringing bags with us when we go for walks and have been amazed at the number of cans and bottles we have found laying on the ground just within a one mile radius of our house. It is really quite sad actually. Jason brings home lots and lots of the same from work, after people there put them in the trash instead of the recycling continer.
So not only are we helping to clean up the area where we live and play, AND saving items from going to the landfill which do not belong there in the first place, AND teaching our children about littering and the importance of recycling... we are also making money! And the containers we turn in were purchased by others in the first place, so it's not our own money we are getting back- it's just outright cash in our pocket.
We do have to take the cans and bottles to Barstow in order to turn them in- there is not a redemption center on Fort Irwin. But we just sort and save them up in the garage, and take them to town with us when we have enough to fill the back of the van. Yesterday the girls and I stopped by and cashed in $18.07 worth of aluminum cans, and glass and plastic bottles. That brings our total to over $40 after 3 trips to the redemption center. Not too shabby, especially since we didn't buy the drinks in the first place! We are going to give the girls each a cut of the money- they are very enthusiastic about helping collect bottles and cans. And they are much more able to run over and grab one out from under a bush, etc. than I am!
So, if you live in CA or one of the other states that uses a redemption value program, start cashing in! And if your state doesn't offer this, please recycle anyway. Those cans and bottles DO NOT belong in your trash can!!!!
Awesome guys! Supposedly, the proceeds of the recycle bins on post are suppose to go back to the neighborhoods and fix things like the playgrounds ect. I'm thinking our playgrounds ought to look a lot better from all the bottles I toss out.
ReplyDeleteI really should sit down and calculate the $ I'm loosing into that program.
Wow!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a redemption value program but we sure do recycle!!!