More people cashing in on bottle, can returns

By Christian Livermore Times Herald-Record Posted: August 30, 2009 - 2:00 AM

NEW WINDSOR - Prime time seems to be midday.

Whether it's because they're mostly retired, or because the store is quiet at that hour, without many people around to witness, is uncertain. Many who were approached didn't want to talk about it.

But they file in, their cans and bottles stuffed into opaque garbage bags or recycled shopping bags, and feed them discreetly into the machines.

In about an hour on a recent Monday at Hannaford supermarket in New Windsor, a dozen or so people came to cash in. It's an unfortunate truth that for many Americans, cashing in cans is not bonus money - it's a way to make ends meet. But since the recession began, it seems more people are taking advantage of the extra change.

Hannaford service clerk Frank DiCesare said he's been seeing more people cashing in cans and bottles since the recession started, especially elderly people.

"Oh yeah, a lot more," he said. "People will make multiple trips a day. They say they could use a few extra dollars."

Salisbury Mills resident George Wontz has been cashing cans in since the program began because he believes strongly in recycling. But lately, he said, he's seen a lot more people in line than usual.

"A lot of times I can't get near the machines because there are so many people doing it now," he said.

They talk to him, too.

"'Times are tough,'" he said they tell him. "'We've got to cash them in. Every little bit helps.'"

Wontz, who is retired, usually gives the money from his recyclables to his son, who has two babies at home.