How do bottle redemption places make money?

Question

I live in New York where we pay 5 cent deposits on bottles and cans. Then there are bottle redemption places where you bring the empties and they give you your 5 cents back. my question is.. how do these places make a profit if they are giving us the 5 cents back?? I'm so confused by this! Does anyone know?

Answer 1

the 5c is a "deposit" that consumer pay when they buy bottled beverages.  Such "deposit" is returned once the bottles are redeemed.

States pay these redemption centers anywhere between 1 and 2 cents per can/bottle redeemed.  It's a no brainer business.