Redemption vs. Recycling?

Question

I live in San Diego Ca. I'm getting ready to return glass and aluminum for recycling. Should i be looking for a place to redeem (collect the deposit) or do recyclers take the redemption value into consideration? ... The cans are crushed, the bottles are not, if that makes a difference

Answer 1

Redemption may be the most cost-effective option. However you choose to do it, anything's better than tossing all your trash into a landfill. ReDUCE, ReUSE, ReCYCLE. It's the wave of the future - something that will probably become a federal law within ten years or less. -RKO-   04/19/07

Answer 2

Hi,

When you bring your cans and bottles to the redemption center, they ARE recycled.  The system in California is such that recyclers service all of the centers.  In return they are paid out of the unredeemed funds that the "bottle bill" generates.  On the flip side, if you deposit your cans and bottles in a curbside program, your municipality is getting the redemption value back.  I'm not 100% sure I answered your exact question, but all of the material, either curbside or redemption center, is being recycled.

Answer 3

Redemption is a better option for you because you keep the money and better for the environment. It avoids the glass having to be melted down to make another bottle because it can be refilled. Whether or not they actually bother to refill it is another matter.