Canners collect bottles, cans and 5-cent deposit to make living in NYC

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Money is tossed away in the garbage in the form of empty bottles and cans. Some people make a living by reclaiming the value. 

Customers pay a 5-cent deposit on many bottles and cans in New York. Collecting, sorting and redeeming them can be a full-time job. 

The crews are known as "canners" and "waste pickers" in the waste work industry. More people in New York City have been turning to the trade for income. 

Josefa works as a canner in the city to pay rent and feed the family. It can be a seven-day-a-week operation collecting and sorting the cans.

Sure We Can is a non-profit redemption center off Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. Executive Director Ryan Castalia said 1,200 people used the facility last year.

"Canners and redemption centers are essential workers. They're not looked at that way. We want to change that," Castalia said.

Workers bring bags and boxes to the facility to sort and organize the loads. Distributors who hold the bottle deposit initially paid by customers reimburse the center, which pays the workers.

There are different ways to collecting in neighborhoods and teams. Building staff could also assist.

"We can serve the canners at high volume. In order to make an income, they need to do hundreds and thousands of cans at a time. We are able to provide that service and redeem large values in a single stroke," explained Castalia.

Sure We Can is one of the few non-profit centers open. They also offer resources and programs.

Other facilities around the city count, process and reimburse.

There have been efforts to raise the bottle deposit in New York and add more types of bottles and cans, including alcohol.

The state comptroller has estimated as much as $115 million is unclaimed from bottle deposits each year. The law requires that money to be deposited in the state general fund.

On Earth Day 2024, volunteers and visitors were welcomed at Sure We Can for a tour and activities.