How to Recycle Plastic Bottles for Cash in Illinois: Where to Return, What Pays & Why Chicago Doesn't Have Bottle Deposits

Illinois does not have a bottle deposit law, so you can't return plastic bottles to grocery stores for cash like you can in Michigan or Iowa. But you can still earn money from plastic bottles if you collect enough volume and sell to scrap recyclers, or you can recycle them for free through Chicago's blue cart program.

Here's what actually pays, where to take bottles, and what to expect.

Why Illinois Doesn't Have Bottle Deposits

Ten states have "bottle bill" laws that charge a 5-10¢ deposit on beverage containers and refund it when you return empties. Illinois is not one of them. Legislation has been proposed several times, most recently HB1089 — the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Act, which would set a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers. It was prefiled on 3 January 2025 and re-referred to the Rules Committee that March, and has not passed.

That means:

• Grocery stores and gas stations in Illinois don't accept bottle returns

• You won't get 5-10¢ per bottle like residents in Michigan or New York

• Your only cash option is selling bulk plastic to scrap recyclers

Where You Can Sell Plastic Bottles for Cash in the Chicago Area

A few scrap metal recyclers in the Chicago area buy clean plastic bottles by weight. Expect around $0.05-0.15 per pound for PET (#1) bottles.

What you need to know:

• Bottles must be clean, dry, and labels removed

• Most buyers want PET (#1) only — water bottles, soda bottles, clear juice bottles

• You'll need a large volume (50+ pounds minimum) to make the trip worthwhile

• Bring a photo ID; some yards require it for payment

What Pays vs. What Doesn't

Accepted for cash (PET #1):

• Water bottles (clear)

• Soda bottles (clear or light green)

• Sports drink bottles (clear)

• Juice bottles (clear PET only)

Not accepted or low-value:

• Milk jugs (HDPE #2 — lower value, often not bought from individuals)

• Colored or opaque bottles

• Bottles with labels still attached

• Crushed or contaminated bottles

Free Recycling Through Chicago's Blue Cart

If you're not collecting enough volume to sell, recycle plastic bottles for free in your blue cart. Chicago's curbside program accepts:

• Plastic bottles and containers marked #1-5 or #7 (not #6)

• No need to remove labels

• Rinse and replace caps

This won't earn you cash, but it's the most practical option for household quantities. For blue cart rules, visit the Chicago Blue Cart Recycling guide.

How to Prepare Bottles for Sale

1. Rinse thoroughly — no residue or liquid inside

2. Remove labels — most buyers require this

3. Sort by type — keep PET (#1) separate from other plastics

4. Keep caps on — prevents contamination during transport

5. Store in clean bags or bins — no loose bottles in your trunk

Is It Worth It?

For individuals: Probably not. Empty PET bottles weigh very little and scrap pays by the pound, so a household's worth comes to very little. Unless you're collecting from an office, event venue, or apartment building, the time and fuel won't justify the trip.

For businesses or property managers: Maybe. If you manage a building, gym, or office that generates dozens of bottles daily, arranging periodic pickups or drop-offs with a scrap buyer could offset some waste costs — but the real value is in diversion, not revenue.

🏢 Commercial Bottle & Container Recycling with GreenWay

If you manage a property, business, or facility that generates large volumes of plastic bottles and containers, GreenWay Recycles offers commercial recycling services with regular pickups. We handle:

• Office buildings and corporate campuses

• Multi-family residential properties

• Gyms, event venues, and hospitality operators

• Restaurants and retail locations

Contact us at (773) 522-0025 to discuss a pickup schedule and container options that fit your operation.