Why collect the cans from curbside recycling bins if there's no bottle deposit?

Question

This morning when I took out the trash, there was a man picking cans and bottles out of the recycling bin. I'm just visiting Virginia, a state without a bottle deposit, so I don't understand what sort of redemption options this guy has. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes, There is transportation of recycled materials across state lines. It cuts into the profits of those who legally redeem their recycled waste in their home state. Tractor trailer loads can make quite a profit coming from a state with no container deposit.

Answer 2

there is still money in aluminum recycling...

Answer 3

The price of recycled metals has skyrocketed lately.  A trailer full of alluminim cans can fetch a lot more than it used to.  There is a woman in the neighborhood that has collected more than $20,000 just by collecting aluminum cans over the past several years and then turning them in to the scrap metal recycler.

Answer 4

Some states offer $ for cans by the lb.  California is one.