Make Extra Money Recycling Bottles and Cans

Can you make additional income collecting bottles and cans? If you reach out to family, friends, and local businesses, you can definitely take home some cash. You won't make enough to live off of, you but can certainly make a little extra money with minimal effort. Recycling bottles and cans is not only good for the environment, it is also a great money making idea for anyone who is looking for some environmentally responsible pocket change.

Take advantage of social events
Whether it's a wedding reception, a graduation party, or a family picnic, you can bet there will be soda cans and bottles. Take it upon yourself to divert stray bottles and cans into a recycle bag. If you figure that fifty people at a medium sized event drink two sodas each, you will have one hundred empty cans to recycle at ten cents each. That's ten dollars for just one party. Even if you're not the host of the party, you can still designate yourself "official recycler" and label a garbage bag accordingly. Offer to take the bag of empty bottles and cans when you leave the party, with the excuse that you're heading to the recycling center anyway.

Ask businesses in your area
Most restaurants and cafes would love to recycle if they had time. Offer to collect their extra bottles and cans once a week in exchange for the profits. Each state varies, but you can make between five and ten cents a container for recycled goods. Businesses will appreciate their reduced waste, and you'll have a little extra money. After a few weeks, you could even treat yourself to a meal at the restaurant with the additional income you earn recycling their bottles and cans.

Don't forget your own home
Recycled containers aren't limited to soda cans. Bottled water, sports drinks, milk cartons, and even some fruit juices can be recycled for cash. Keep a labeled bag next to your trash basket in the kitchen to remind you, your family, and your guests to recycle. Since you'll be going to the recycling center anyway, why not start at home? Placing the bin next to the trash can is key. People who aren't used to recycling bottles and cans need the obvious reminder of a recycle container right next to the garbage.

You can easily make money recycling bottles and cans. All it takes is a little effort, a few labeled trash bags, and you're in business! Although this money making idea isn't going to bring in a lot of cash, you can always use a little extra here and there just by going through your daily routine. Every time you attend a party or dine out at a restaurant, use the opportunity to collect their bottles and cans. Best of all, recycling bottles and cans is an environmentally friendly way to make a difference. You'll not only have a little extra income, you will also be doing your part to keep recyclable containers out of landfills.