Cost of recycling worthwhile in Model 3?

[JetFalcon]

I'm just wondering if anyone tries to recycle and get back CRV money? I saw a youtube video about in store recycling where places like supermarkets, 711, gas stations, any market type store that sells bottled / canned beverages are required to refund CRV, even if they end up throwing it away. I had some luck with it to be able to go to stores nearby my home, that are on the way, to recycle a few cans here and there. Like if I had bottles laying around my car, I just go to one these in store recycle places and try get some money back. But thing is, alot of these stores are being dishonest and trying to make it hard to redeem. One gas station got really angry at me when I called their bluff, they refunded me, but were not happy to do so, even for 30 cents. Some places I had luck with and could rely on, such as CVS, but now with Corona virus they're all using that as an excuse to not redeem, even though a rep from Cal Recycle said its not a entitlement excuse.

The gas station that got mad me the first time. I tried a 2nd time, the cashier became very hostile and threatened to call the police. He was mad that I came again to try hustle them for CRV money.

Now I just try pass by recycling centers on my way to work, trying my best to get my money back, but not waste too much time doing so. If I had to drive a gas car, and went outta my way to recycle, I feel I may break even if I only returned 5-10 cans for about 20-50 cents. So I see why most people wait until they have a "full load" like one full garbage bag to do so. But for me, I rather not put a ton of trash in my tesla Model 3 if I don't have to, so I just do little by little so I get most of my cans / bottles before it goes in the trash. But it does add up just as long as you don't waste your time doing it. I try my best not to waste my time doing it, but I dunno how perfect I am.

But I feel much better using a Tesla Model 3 to sorta go outta my way to recycle over a 10-15 mpg SUV. So at least I get to keep more profit.

 

[Brando]

I just look for homeless or street people doing recycling and give them the cans.

 

[Dolemite]

this forum is legally insane

 

[bedoig]

 

[MrMassTransit]

Does CA not have places that just take back bottles in bulk? I've lived in two bottle bill states, CT and VT. Growing up in CT we always just brought the bottles to the grocery store where they had machines that would accept them. They could limit take back to the brands they sold, so every so often something wouldn't be accepted and we'd usually just put it out with the regular recycling.

In VT, there were places that took everything back, regardless of where it was sold. They were typically connected with liquor stores. I would drive up maybe every month or two, they'd quickly count everything, and give you a voucher that could be redeemed for cash or used as a form of payment inside the store. I always bought more beer with mine. Maybe that's what you're referring to as a recycling center - ours were not connected to places where I'd drop off other recyclables. Given, that they were connected to other establishments, I never had to go out of my way or make a special trip. I always just dropped them off when getting groceries or picking up beer.

 

[BluestarE3]

this forum is legally insane

I think people are getting bored staying home.

 

[TLLMRRJ]

You're basically living in a communist state if you have to deal with the petty per can and bottle recycling refund. Just move to a non-communist, non-stupid state and quit ruining your life.

 

[JetFalcon]

Does CA not have places that just take back bottles in bulk? I've lived in two bottle bill states, CT and VT. Growing up in CT we always just brought the bottles to the grocery store where they had machines that would accept them. They could limit take back to the brands they sold, so every so often something wouldn't be accepted and we'd usually just put it out with the regular recycling.

In VT, there were places that took everything back, regardless of where it was sold. They were typically connected with liquor stores. I would drive up maybe every month or two, they'd quickly count everything, and give you a voucher that could be redeemed for cash or used as a form of payment inside the store. I always bought more beer with mine. Maybe that's what you're referring to as a recycling center - ours were not connected to places where I'd drop off other recyclables. Given, that they were connected to other establishments, I never had to go out of my way or make a special trip. I always just dropped them off when getting groceries or picking up beer.

CA has recycling centers. I only know of two in my area, but they're def outta the way if I didn't go to work in that route. But I saw some news saying CA recycling centers are disappearing in some areas to the point those people have very little options. But that's why there is a new law that selected stores are required by law to refund CRV. But alot of them aren't following the rules which is really unfair to consumers & other business who do follow the rules. These stores can opt out (or refuse to accept CRV) for a fee around $100 / day. And now some stores that were accepting CRV are now not doing so b/c of Corona Virus, which isn't a valid excuse according to the rep on the phone I talked to.

But I really hate CRV, is it possible that I can organize something with the CA citizens to abolish CRV? The problem is that it's too little money to care about, but its still money I rather keep. And most people don't bother caring b/c its too little to care about, so the government gets away with it b/c I guess they're not charging something outrageous like $2 per can. Especially when packages of bevereages go on sale, it almost doesn't matter b/c you're for sure going to pay $1.20 for a 24 count of water bottle if it was sold at $0. And something like Arrowhead Water 24 ct may be on sale for $2.50 but its gonna be $3.70 at the register. And its unfair to pay 40% more to be left with the burden on how to get the money back or just forfeit the money to the government.

 

[mattack4000]

You do know there is a shelter in place right now right. You can collect all the bottles, throw it in the trunk and do your bottle recycling later. It is still going to be 5 cents

 

[holmgang]

this forum is legally insane

after a while you associate the poster with the message

 

[XLR82XS]

this forum is legally insane

Amen to that.

 

[ohmman]

The purpose of CRV was to encourage bottle recycling, but it's a pretty old law (34 years) at this point. Bottle bill states have had a much higher level of bottle and container recycling than non-bottle-bill states, so that's the good news. The bad news is, like OP says, retailers don't know they have to take the bottles back by law. I suggest OP calls around and finds a retailer that will accept them, or a recycling center nearby. Personally, I've never cared. I consider it a very small donation to keep our recycling rates higher.

Also, moderator note: I'm moving this to the California forum, as it's not a Model 3 specific discussion.

 

[drewski]

get a hitch and small trailer to haul a bigger load

 

[sq.in.]

Nearly all the states with bottle bills enacted them before recycling was largely available. They now effectively remove 2 of the three most valuable commodities (aluminum and PET) from the curbside stream, making those programs more costly at a time many are raising fees or shutting down thanks to China saying they'll no longer accept our barges of material that relies on their cheap labor to sort material.

 

[Cheburashka]

CRV recycling is for homeless people.

I tried it once when I moved to California. Collected cans and bottles and stood in line with the homeless and Mexicans for 20min.

Apparently when you have over 40 cans they do it by weight (this is legal), and you end up getting maybe 20% of what it would pay if they were to count the cans.

Anyway I got like 5$ maybe and since then I throw bottles in the recycling bins, and take cans to the shooting range to shoot up.

 

[JetFalcon]

CRV recycling is for homeless people.

I tried it once when I moved to California. Collected cans and bottles and stood in line with the homeless and Mexicans for 20min.

Apparently when you have over 40 cans they do it by weight (this is legal), and you end up getting maybe 20% of what it would pay if they were to count the cans.

Anyway I got like 5$ maybe and since then I throw bottles in the recycling bins, and take cans to the shooting range to shoot up.

Ya CRV can become a waste of time, or not worth it, if you work too hard for a few cents. It def has to be on your way, and the gamble is wasting your time or fuel. Because I knew there was a CVS that did the in store CRV thing next to a Planet Fitness, I got all the bottles I could find and got 70-80 cents for not trying too hard and being able to pick up clean bottles. I wanna see if I could pay off my gym membership just by collecting all the bottles and taking them to the CVS next door, it's only $10 month so it may be possible.

I did see a guy get $60-70 for his stash, so he had 1200-1400 bottles / cans. I probably could never buy that many for myself, even if I drink 1-2 cans per day. I'd have to drink 40-47 drinks a day to reach that level in a month. But that guy works at a bar and that business allows him to cash in the recycles. Must be a good way to double your income if you work at a bar.

 

[forkee]

Just recycled a years worth of 2L plastic bottles plus a small amount of glass and cans in Lakewood yesterday (Sunday). Got a check for $33. Didn't have to break a sweat trash digging, just collected what we used the past year. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's only worth it to homeless people. We pay extra on top of the price of the product and only get that back when we return the bottle/can. Throw it away and you're literally throwing away your money. Whether or not it's worth it is up to you, but I work hard for my money and I'm getting back as much as I can.

Express Recycling & Collections

https://yelp.to/qTKq/DT60xBEf25

 

[JetFalcon]

Just recycled a years worth of 2L plastic bottles plus a small amount of glass and cans in Lakewood yesterday (Sunday). Got a check for $33. Didn't have to break a sweat trash digging, just collected what we used the past year. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's only worth it to homeless people. We pay extra on top of the price of the product and only get that back when we return the bottle/can. Throw it away and you're literally throwing away your money. Whether or not it's worth it is up to you, but I work hard for my money and I'm getting back as much as I can.

Express Recycling & Collections

https://yelp.to/qTKq/DT60xBEf25

I'm interested in it. My strategy is to go every couple days or just whenever its convinient. I've had days where I only took 2-4 cans in, just because I was nearby.

I used to do in-store CRV, but now all these stores I had success with are now refusing to do CRV b/c of Covid19. I think it's a lie though, the Cal Recycle Rep said its not an excuse, but I dunno what would happen if I stood my ground to the point I accuse them of breaking the law for not accepting my garbage for cash. It would be super convenient if all these in-store CRV on that Cal Recycle list didn't deny you, but some don't wanna follow the law.

One time, b/c there was a CVS that accepted CRV next to my gym, I collected all the bottles I found and made a quick 75 cents. I could pay off my gym membership with easily found garbage that people just left around.

I just hope you have a way to recycle without ruining your Tesla though. Alot of people think its weird to care about CRV, but this is why it's a problem, it's too low for people to care so the CA government gets away with it. It's a nice side income if you don't waste too much time doing it. I saw a Mexican guy get $65 for his load, he said he worked at a bar. That's def alot of free money for stuff people don't care to cash in on.

 

[schmluss]

I'm interested in it. My strategy is to go every couple days or just whenever its convinient. I've had days where I only took 2-4 cans in, just because I was nearby.

I used to do in-store CRV, but now all these stores I had success with are now refusing to do CRV b/c of Covid19. I think it's a lie though, the Cal Recycle Rep said its not an excuse, but I dunno what would happen if I stood my ground to the point I accuse them of breaking the law for not accepting my garbage for cash. It would be super convenient if all these in-store CRV on that Cal Recycle list didn't deny you, but some don't wanna follow the law.

One time, b/c there was a CVS that accepted CRV next to my gym, I collected all the bottles I found and made a quick 75 cents. I could pay off my gym membership with easily found garbage that people just left around.

I just hope you have a way to recycle without ruining your Tesla though. Alot of people think its weird to care about CRV, but this is why it's a problem, it's too low for people to care so the CA government gets away with it. It's a nice side income if you don't waste too much time doing it. I saw a Mexican guy get $65 for his load, he said he worked at a bar. That's def alot of free money for stuff people don't care to cash in on.

The problem with the store return is that they don't make anything off of it. The government just mandates that they do it. With the minimum wage where it is, it doesn't make economic sense for them to accept returns. There only government enforcement is if someone makes them enforce it. Even then, it's most likely like pulling teeth.

 

[mattack4000]

My relative has a business in Ma that can do this for a living. It’s impossible to do that in California even though there are more people here.

irs gives us .57 cents per mile? I better have a lot of bottles to do this