How do deposits on bottels and cans affect the incentives of individuals to recycle these products?

Answer 1

they're worth money and get picked up off the sides of roads. homeless people love this, as it gives them a way to get some cash without having to depend on other people to give it to them. it looks a lot better from the window too

Answer 2

People like money and many will only recycle if they get something back cash wise, unfortunately. This is also true of community recycling vs the individual. People seem to prefer to litter anything and everything which just trashes up the environment.
Another problem is there are not enough recycling plants to take things to or the information of their locations and what they take.

Answer 3

We have deposits on bottles and cans in my state as well. Basically, people want their money back. It's a waste of 5 cents to throw it away.

You can't look at it as making money, though (unless you did not purchase the bottle or can). You are merely getting your deposit back. Where I used to live, there was no deposit but they would pay you per pound of aluminum. I preferred that because I was actually gaining a few cents by recycling.

Answer 4

They become worth money. Many people would just throw them away, if, that what they already do. I do save my cans and give them to someone to sell. Also, people who throw out cans and bottles on the side of the road. The deposit would increase the amount of litter pickup, as people could sell these.