Cans 4 A Cause

We collect unwanted returnable bottles and cans, redeem them and put the money back into the communit

06/18/2026

Greetings !!! As many of you know, I run “Cans-4-A-Cause”. We collect unwanted returnable bottles and cans, redeem them and put the money back into the local community. As we prepare to start our 9th year, we have been able to give back over $175,000 and we aren’t done yet.

We are a registered non-profit and we are all volunteers. Nobody takes a salary or stipend. Over the life of the program, that has allowed us to put back over 95 cents of every dollar we get back, into the community.

While it is rewarding, it is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the amount of garbage we collect. Things like empty detergent bottles, empty dog food cans, non-returnable bottles and cans, and my favorite – a full 1.75L bottle of Chivas Regal Scotch.

There is a lot of confusion these days as to what does and what does not have a CT Bottle Deposit. Each state includes different items and different rates.

Here are some of the things that are NOT covered under the CT Deposit Law:

1.) Vodka, Gin and Tequila Drinks. Drinks that DO NOT have a deposit include:
High Noon, Sun Cruiser, Kirkland Vodka & Soda, Cutwater Drinks (White Russian, Mango Margarita and so on), NUTRL, Long Drinks, and Hive Tequila drinks.

2.) Gallon Water Bottles – any non-carbonated beverage over 2.5 liters is exempt from the law. Carbonated beverage over 3 liters is also excluded.

3.) Milk Containers

4.) Wine Bottles – regardless of size. Maine has a 15-cent deposit but not in CT.

5.) Protein drinks like Premium, Nurri, Core Power 24 and Fairlife.

6.) Hard Ciders like 1741 by Lyman Orchards and DownEast.

7.) Nips – Liquor bottles 50 mil and less. They have a 5-cent environmental fee that is given back to the towns to help pay for environmental programs.

We thank all that have supported this program and we are looking forward to the future !

05/10/2026

This week, we here at Cans-4-A-Cause had the privilege of presenting Warm the Children with a check for $1,800. Webster Bank and The Travelers Championship matched the donation with a 15% kicker, bring the total to $2,070. That is enough to cover the needs of 23 children in our community.

Unfortunately, that is only a drop in the bucket for what they need, each winter, they help provide warm winter clothing to close to 500 area children.

But hey, helping 23 children is better than none. It continues to amaze me what good we can do with the unwanted returnable bottles and cans that we collect each week.

Thank you !!!!

03/19/2026

Domestic Abuse appears to be on the rise. New Horizons is here to help the victims and we (Cans-4-A-Cause) are here to help them. We presented them today with $1,000 of gift cards for their clients.

03/04/2026

Another load of food heading to the Portland Food Bank tomorrow morning. All this from unwanted returnable bottles and cans.

02/02/2026

Each year, we donate to programs who reach out and help people who really need help. These "Thank You" notes are much appreciated.

We continue (despite the extremely cold weather) to take returnable bottles and cans and turn them into cash for local programs. We are all volunteers and we are a 501c3 (non-profit). We are able to donate 100% of the proceeds back to the local community.

Thank you !!

01/28/2026

This was another of our 2025 donations. This fund helps cover things like transportation for patients who can't drive to their doctors appointment and the cost of medical supplies for those can not afford them.

It continues to amaze me what we can do with unwanted returnable bottles and cans. Each year, there continue to be around 500 million containers that go unreturned. If you would like to donate your unwanted returnable bottles and cans, reach out to us and we will figure out how to get them.

Thank you !!!

01/25/2026

We received a nice "Thank You" from the Middlefield Senior & Social Services Director. The Middlefield Food Bank is completely replenished through donations. Cans-4-A-Cause is glad to help them.

Each year, we take unwanted returnable bottles and cans, redeem them and donate the proceeds to local programs like this one. If you would like to donate your unwanted returnable bottles and cans, we have a drop off in Portland. If you can't make it there, let us know and we will see if we can arrange a pickup.

Thank you !!!!

01/16/2026

2025 was another good year for us. We helped out close to 20 organizations. Since starting this in 2018, we have given back $170,000 to community programs.

01/07/2026

Cans-4-A-Cause helped the Durham Community Service Program. They use the money to help residents with thing like oil, food and even rent.

If you would like to help us help this program, let us know. We take returnable bottles and cans, redeem, them and support programs like this one.

Thank YOU!!!!

01/06/2026

We recently made a donation to The Cromwell Food Bank. We want to thank all those who choose to give us their returnable bottles and cans, it makes a difference.

Address

Middletown, CT
06457

Website

http://Cans-4-A-Cause.org/

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