Helping NY Recycle for a Greener Tomorrow

Since we opened in 2013, our motto has been.... NO Machines ~ NO Sticky Hands ~ NO Hassles!!

Bottle & can redemption is fun!  Said no one ever! 

But it's our responsibility to do our part to keep our corner of the world clean! 

With all the added plastics, aluminum and glass going through our trash systems, and our municiple landfills reaching near capacity, taking the time to make full use of New Yorks' beverage bottle redemption system is a way we can make sure at least some of it makes it all the way to being recycled!

We make it easy! 

"Our household has utilized Duanesburg Redemption Center since they opened. We are always greeted with a smile and cheerful attitude. Theyre not only convenient and courteous, they're local. Definitely recommend!!!"   ~ Laurie H

"Great experience every time I visit this bottle center. The staff are always friendly, efficient, and make the process quick and hassle-free. The space is clean and well-organized, which really makes a difference. It’s clear they care about both their customers and the environment. I truly appreciate having such a reliable and convenient place in the community!" ~Temi 

"I’ve redeemed bottles in many places. Stacy’s redemption center is always clean, organized, and the people who work there are always friendly. If you don’t have time to wait, there are great options: come a little later the same day, or just let you balance build up. It’s a free account service and so convenient. Sometimes I donate my dropped cans and bottles to one of the many charities that have accounts there. Highly recommend!!" ~ Brenda S

"The staff is always friendly and helpful. It is also quick and easy to return the bottles and cans." ~ Kayla C

"I love the owner here, she's honest, always smiling, has great dinner ideas lol and oftentimes I'm lucky enough to get some fresh eggs or fruits and vegetables. Yea, not just a place to bring your cans and bottles, but when you do, you know you can count on them being reliable and honest. Super convenient. Thanks Stacey!!" ~ Jess 

"Super friendly people do ALL the work! They accept most anything, unlike store redemption machines. No full-machine hassles. No gross, sticky, smelly hands. You can drop and go and have your money added to an account, or wait for your cash. And you get to support a local small business! WIN/WIN" ~ Kathleen K 

"Excellent customer service! Always polite and kind." ~ Carly H

"Great people awesome place quick." ~ Debi F

We offer multiple options for service to make your visit a fast, no-hassle experience. 

Options include: 

1. Wait while we count (for small and medium sized orders)
2. Come back later (we count while you run other errands)
3. Call or stop in to set up a FREE Customer Account (that means you can drop off any time day or night, no fees, no special bags, collect money whenever you want). Bag tagging supplies are provided. 
4. Donate to one of our many listed charitable accounts.
5. Pre-count your order (clear bags and ID required for verification)

We are committed to supporting our community  by hosting many bottle accounts for local, non-profit organizations, creating and supporting easy, fund-raising opportunities. Many non-profits rely on bottle & can donations as a significant source of their income. Our service makes this easy, by allowing organizations to encourage direct drop-offs for their accounts, or collecting at their sites and dropping off by the truckload. 

We also host accounts for verified "People in Need" (cancer, fire, etc can take it's toll on families) 

Stop in or call for list of charitable accounts. 

If you know of a local organization that could benefit from this great service, please reach out to us by phone or email and we will be glad to help you. 

Taking some time and care to prepare your order before you bring it helps us to serve you faster and in a cleaner environment. Tips for quick service and a great experience.

• Use sturdy bags that you can easily tie closed.
• When possible, bring glass in its original carton or another sturdy box. 
• Bag all cans and bottles and discard cardboard cartons. 
• Remove any trash (food, paper, batteries, plastic drink holders, cigarette butts, etc)
• Remove any containers that are crushed, missing labels or contain contaminants like dirt, cigarette butts, chew, dead mice.  Barcodes Must be legible. 
• Empty containers of any liquids.
• Check labels and remove any non-redeemable items (food cans, milk jugs, laundry soap jugs, Gatorade, Power Ade,  juices, vodka and other mixed drinks, hard cider, etc.)
• If you choose to pre-count your order,  use clear or white bags and label each bag with your name and count.
• Aim to redeem in a timely manner to help to keep your labels intact, and keep critters out!

We are located at 10105 Western Turnpike, Delanson NY 

Route 20, just 1 mile East of the Esperance Hannaford, 

or Route 20, 5 miles West of  the traffic light in Duanesburg. 

We have a large, well lit, level parking lot, and offer carside assisstance for handicapped and elderly customers. For assistance, just call or beep your horn 3 times. 

We are OPEN Monday - Saturday 9am to 5pm. CLOSED on Sundays. 

We post regularly on Facebook, so follow us there for updates on Holiday & Vacation hours. 

As a small, family owned business with limited help, we close for vacation for two different weeks during the Summer. (one in June and one in August). These will be posted on Facebook.

Over the past several years, New Yorkers have seen growing confusion and concern surrounding the New York State Bottle Bill. Headlines mention redemption center closures, rising municipal recycling costs, fraud, overwhelmed landfills, and even the idea that the 5-cent deposit is quietly becoming a tax. At the same time, manufacturers warn of economic impacts, while retailers—especially wine and liquor stores—push back against participation requirements.

These issues may appear disconnected, even contradictory. But they all stem from a single root cause: the 2009 shift in fund allocation combined with 17 years of legislative neglect. What was once an effective, balanced system has become outdated and strained, not because it cannot work—but because it has not been maintained.

How the Bottle Bill Works

To understand the problem, it is important to understand the system:

• Manufacturers (deposit initiators) collect a 5-cent deposit from distributors. 
• Retailers pay that deposit when purchasing beverages. 
• Consumers pay the deposit at purchase and receive it back upon redemption. 
• Redemption centers and retailers are reimbursed the deposit plus a 3.5-cent      handling fee. 

This system depends on a delicate financial balance—one that has been disrupted.

The Root of the Problem: The 2009 Funding Shift

The most significant change in the Bottle Bill’s history occurred in 2009. While the handling fee increased slightly and water bottles were added, the most impactful change was the reallocation of unredeemed deposits.

• Before 2009:
  100% of unredeemed deposits stayed within the system, supporting      distributors and indirectly funding redemption operations. 
• After 2009: 
  • 80% diverted to New York State 
  • Only 20% remains with distributors 

While a portion was intended for environmental programs, a significant amount—tens of millions annually—flows into the state’s general fund.

Why This Matters

This shift removed critical funding from the system while still requiring it to function and grow. The result:

• Chronic underfunding of redemption infrastructure 
• Increased strain on distributors covering handling costs 
• A system forced to operate on outdated economics 

This is the foundation of every major issue facing the Bottle Bill today.

Issue 1: 17 Years of Stagnant Handling Fees

The handling fee has remained at 3.5 cents since 2009, despite inflation and rising costs.

Impact

• Redemption centers are operating on “2009 wages” 
• More than 200 centers have closed in the last 2.5 years 
• “Redemption deserts” are forming across the state 
• Consumers increasingly throw containers away, effectively turning deposits into a tax 

Solution

• Immediately raise the handling fee to at least 5 cents 
• Implement scheduled increases over time 
• Mandate periodic reviews tied to inflation or cost-of-living  adjustment (COLA)
• Reallocate an additional 20–40% of unredeemed funds back to the system 

Without stabilizing redemption centers—the foundation of the system—everything else collapses.

Issue 2: An Outdated and Incomplete Law

The beverage market has evolved dramatically since 2009, but the law has not.

Impact

• Over 2.5 billion containers annually are not covered 
• Non-deposit containers have recycling rates around 24%, compared to 68–70% for deposit containers 
• Municipal landfills are overwhelmed, especially with heavy glass 
• Local governments are increasing taxes and fees to manage waste 

Solution

• Expand the Bottle Bill to include: 
  • Sports drinks 
  • Tea & lemonade
  • Hard cider 
  • Canned cocktails 
  • THC and cannabis infused drinks
  • Wine and liquor containers 
• Increase the deposit value to improve return rates (e.g., 10 cents) 

A modern system could push recycling rates toward 90% while reducing landfill pressure.

Issue 3: Retailer Burden and Missed Collaboration

Retailers, particularly wine and liquor stores, face legitimate concerns:

• Limited space 
• Cross-contamination of food storage areas
• Increased labor and infrastructure costs (for distributors as well)
• Operational inefficiencies 

Solution

• Include wine and liquor containers in the Bottle Bill 
• Do NOT mandate redemption for these retailers 
• Allow them to: 
  • Partner with nearest redemption centers 
  • Refer customers through signage 

This approach:

• Expands the system 
• Creates jobs
• Reduces landfill waste 
• Avoids overburdening retail wine & liquor businesses 

Issue 4: Fraud and System Integrity

Fraud is often misunderstood. While small-scale abuse exists, the biggest issues stem from structural flaws.

Key Problems

• Cross-border fraud from non-deposit states 
• Mislabeling and inconsistent packaging 
• Microbreweries using pre-stamped NY deposit cans without participating 
• Financial leakage caused by improper redemptions 

Impact

• Millions lost annually 
• Increased costs for legitimate distributors 
• Further strain on an already underfunded system 

Solution: Statewide Color Coding System

• Require clear NY-specific color codes or markings on all redeemable containers 
• Add visible identifiers near barcodes for quick verification 
• Prohibit use of NY deposit markings on non-participating products 
• Conduct routine label inspections coordinated and combined with County      Ag & Markets inspections

This simple solution:

• Dramatically reduces fraud 
• Eliminates confusion 
• Protects system integrity 
• Uses a system of inspection already in place

Issue 5: Unrealistic Technological Expectations

Some propose requiring barcode-scanning machines for all redemption centers to eliminate fraud.

Reality

• Machines cost $15,000–$30,000 at minimum with upwards of 100's of thousands for larger operations
• Leasing consumes more than one-third of a center’s revenue 
• Space requirements make them impractical or impossible for many locations 
• Machines operate at a high cost in electricity, adding $600 to $3,000 each month to utility costs

Solution

• Focus on low-cost, scalable solutions like color coding labels
• Encourage future development of affordable handheld verification tools for smaller centers
• Avoid mandates that would force small operators out of business 

The Bigger Picture: A System Undermined by Neglect

In the years immediately following 2009, the system showed success:

• Job growth in the recycling sector 
• Expansion of redemption centers 
• Increased recycling rates 

But without ongoing updates, inflation and industry changes exposed critical weaknesses.

Seventeen years later, the system is no longer failing quietly—it is visibly breaking down.

Conclusion: A Clear Path Forward

The failure of the Bottle Bill is not due to its design, but to policy choices and inaction.

To fix it, New York must:

• Restore balance in fund allocation 
• Increase and modernize handling fees 
• Expand container coverage 
• Implement strong fraud prevention through color-coded labeling 
• Encourage collaboration instead of imposing burdens 

Most importantly, it must address the root cause: the 2009 diversion of funds and 17 years of legislative neglect.

When implemented correctly, the Bottle Bill:

• Protects the environment 
• Reduces taxpayer burden 
• Supports small businesses 
• Creates jobs 
• Keeps billions of containers out of landfills 

We have highlighted the issues. 

We have offered common sense solutions to serve all involved stakeholders. 

Legislators have given excuses every year for why they can't get it done. 

If they continue ignoring it, it just confirms our ugliest suspicions -- that they indeed have the intention of continuing to use the bottle bill's unredeemed fund as their slush fund while the bill's related New York businesses suffer, more jobs are lost, and we continue to see worsening environmental impact and feel its' related tax burden.  

The real question is no longer what needs to be done—
it is why it hasn’t been done yet.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Now is the time to be heard! The 2026 Legislative session is Now Open. CALL them Today! 

Find my NYS Senator https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

Find my NYS Assemblymember https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

Have a question or concern? 

Contact us by phone or email, or here on our contact page, and we'll be happy to assist you.

Phone (518) 763-1219

Email  bradtstacy@gmail.com