Is it illegal?

Question

Ok, I live in Illinois and one of my family members live in Michigan. Is it illegal to take our Illinois cans and cash them in Michigan. In Michigan they are worth 10 cents each if it says it on the can. Michigan does pay the extra tax for that. So if I were to get stopped by the cops while driving to Michigan would I get in trouble? There is nothing on the can saying that you cant.

All the cans I have say MI 10 cents.

Answer 1

Yes it is illegal, however if you used your head and only cash in a few at a lot of different stores I don't think it is anything to worry about. As a truck driver travailing around the country I collected cans from all over and turned them in here in Michigan, maybe $20 worth at each store. As far as having them in your car there is no law, only place that could be a problem is when you were turning them in. .

Answer 2

No, you would not get into trouble.

The only thing I can think of is a possible tax violation since you didn't pay the tax originally to turn them in at the higher rate.

It is a question of ethics after that..I doubt you will be buying a car with the difference and get audited.

Personally I say go for it, you are paying money for gas to get there...which evens it out to me.

EDIT: Susie D..thanks for that bit of information it was pretty dumbfounding to hear the depth a can is put through to ensure it is collected in the correct state.

Answer 3

Actually, Michigan cans are coded for recycling and it is indeed illegal to take a can from another state and return it for the deposit. (That's the deal - Michigan pays a 'deposit' on each can and is getting their money back, not making money.)

Additionally, cans that are not coded will be kicked back out by the automatic sorters most stores have.

While I doubt that you will get arrested for having a car full of cans, you will be wasting your time unless you can find a place that manually counts the cans and bottles.

Answer 4

I don't think so