Simple Bottle Return in
Bridgeport (CT)

I always bring one bag. That's not the first time that someone come to me telling me the express line is "full" and send me to the line with people with thousands of bottles. Ridiculous

Very displeased at the total disregard of this business for the health, and well-being of people with disabilities. My 83 year old dad went there Dec. 2, 2025 to return some bottles and attempted to park in a handicap parking space and he was met by a yelling worker/manager who told him he couldn’t park there even though he had his legal handicap parking sticker displayed. He told the the manager that he was disabled but she yelled at him that he had to get out. My dad was extremely upset. When I called to speak with the owner/manager on my dad’s behalf, I was met with “Our business doesn’t have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and I should go ahead and file a complaint. This I will be doing! What a horrible way to treat an elderly man! I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else!

Does anybody know where I can take the metal can lids to sell? I have a lot of them taken out from the cans. Someone told me someplace buys them by the pound. If anyone knows anything, please let me know. I will appreciate it. Thank you.

You can expect a tremendous queue of people with tons of bottles and cans to exchange. Patience is the name of the game. The staff works well to move things along as quickly as possible. If you have a relatively small amount to exchange, you'll get moved to the "express" line. Be SURE to have your CT ID.

This company needs to undergo a reform in its employees. They are mistreating people and favoring some who are coming with trucks... I went there to sell some bags of bottles but I couldn't sell them all. They wouldn't let me go, but there were 2 people who were unloading 3 trucks and they wouldn't stop taking their bags. They wouldn't say anything to these guys. Not to mention that every time I went there, these same guys were always there. It's very strange. The lady with white hair who works at the door was very rude to me and my family.

Always packed with businesses and their truck loads of returns. They should have their own time/days. So the average person can return their fewer bags, and not have to wait for an hour. Just my $.02

2025 update #2: lines are still entirely too long. I've gone in am, in lunch break and Saturdays, the only time mist people with 9-5 can make it and all times it was a 1-2 hour looking line. I just can't. Went to different place. 2025 update: they are asking for ID now probably because of out of staters coming for the 10 cent runs. . Good. Because those lines were entirely too long. maps listed as simple bottle return. My full review is there, updated for 2024. You can bring items all together, no need to separate. They have all new machines making everything much easier. Also you don't have to have clear bags anymore, like when they were in stratford. Otherwise same great staff. Oh and it's 10 cents per bottle now.

It needs some structure here a new system needs to be in place. This place has Potential To be better. They take a very long time to get you in , the cater to people THEY want to help, I went the other day before they open and they allowed people to skip in front of you they talk to you nasty but talk to other customers with upmost respect they have favorites customers (U-HAUL TRUCKS 10 bags or more) … they need more workers & workers who are FAIR .. it could be better. It’s better than stop n shop or food bazar buut let’s be foreal why are waiting extremely long when we have 2 bags :/ it wasn’t until another customer & his wife pointed me out to the workers and told them I was there even before them & they got finished before me & oh I forgot to mention they locked the doors & they women was yelling so badly at the customers saying nobody can go in it was like they treated us like animals 🤦🏽‍♀️

I’ve been here various times and waited longer than an hour to get in they let the uhual trucks go first. Yes they do take people with 1 bag but the wait is still killer. I’ve been going all week at 9 am and it’s still packed to around the corner to where you can’t get in, there is no order. I think people from ct should at least go first. They got people from other towns coming to cash bottles.

It used to be quick before businesses with U-Haul trucks discovered the place. They should have their own day or hours to return bottles. I don’t think it’s fair to those who only have a couple of bags

Used to love coming here, but now they let businesses with U-HAULs come and cut in front of everyone, resulting in very long wait times. Not returning until they get their priorities straight.

Poor management and keeping the line moving. They take multiple people from behind you. I had 4 bags and they kept pulling people with 2 or 3 bags way back further in the line to go ahead. Had to wait almost an additional 40 minutes in a line watching so many others go ahead of me. I didn’t bring a uhaul of cans. Instead of the line moving slowly, people in front of myself were waiting even longer instead keeping things flowing. Things could be done more affectively.

I didn’t even know place’s like this existed but it’s amazing the process is super fast and the employees are really helpful. I suggest you go with three bag’s at a time so you skip the line. If you have for mea bus no they do take the voyy bottle’s by the truck load as well but I think you might need to call ahead . Thi it place and swift what convenient way hella beat’s the traditional way of putting one bottle at a time and having to call a staff member if the machine jam’s up on you.

Wonderful and easy experience! Brought our cans, dumped them in the counter, and had cash in our hand within 5 minutes of showing up! Only bottle center we will use!

Incredibly easy way to return all your recyclables! No need to separate cans from plastic bottles! Large or small! Glass bottles are handled either in cardboard cases they came in or separately! Super fast and super friendly service! New CT plastic bottle returns are now all 10 cents too!!! Highly recommend to those that have more than just a few bags of returns👍

What a great and easy way to get your deposit back. I had ten bags of deposit items to drop off and it took about 10 minutes including the wait for my turn. The staff is very helpful and guides you through the steps. There are big bins available to get the bags from your car and into the center. The machines go super fast and you get your cash right away. Totally worth the trip if you are behind on your deposit items or are running a fundraiser. Highly recommend!

This was my first time going. Wasn't sure what to do and the staff was very friendly and helpful. From pulling up to leaving took about 15 minutes. The staff is very quick and organized. I had my items in clear bags already so I didn't need to sort. If my cans and bottles build up again I will definitely return.

Very easy, and quick if your bottles, cans, and glass are already separated in clear plastic bags. Otherwise you would need to separate them outside and put them in plastic bins they provide. Once that's done everything is efficient and the counting is done for you. Been going here for years and staff are always nice and helpful. Will continue to keep going.

This place runs like a well oiled machine. The staff explain the process and are willing and eager to help you. You either buy their clear reusable bags to put your bottles and cans in or bring your own. They take the bags and load the returns on to a conveyor that calculates the amount due the customer. You get your ticket and go next door and redeem for cash. It's much better than feeding a machine one by one. And the place is VERY CLEAN ‼️

Went around 10am, and surprisingly it was not busy at all. My Son & I knocked it out! Ladies inside run everything very orderly & it was nice and clean. Great job Soda Stop Plus Thrift & Bottle Redemption

It was very easy to redeem all the recyclables except for the long wait time. If you have to go on the weekends go early.

All bottle returns are a bit hectic, it's the nature of the business. I've been to a few thanks to Scout Bottle Drives, and this place by far has been the best run. Great job from the managers down to the employees.

Best recycling station the employee's i deal with where Very patient and nice awesome customer service. I walked in with 20 bag's and was out in 20 minutes it was fast and all i did was stand there just b sure to sort ur bottles and cans and ur all set the girl in the store where u change your ticket is very sweet. People please b patient these people do the work nobody wants to. Or just go to Walmart see how works out 🤣

Excellent service. Most days in and out. Clean, follows Covid19 protocol.

Been going there for years. In the beginning it wasn’t organized, there was lines everywhere and people would argue about who was next. The last couple of months, maybe even a year or two, they give you numbers when you’ve brung in all your bottles and it’s first come first serve. That way it’s organized and you’re in/out. I usually come with my bottles already in bags that they sell, so I’m out of there in 15-20 mins. Depending on if it’s packed or not. I know the right time to go.

My husband and I have been returning our cans and bottles here for over two years. Every trip seemed to turn into a drama always centered around the unprofessional, rude behavior of the gentleman who calls himself the manager. I also had several concerns regarding the accuracy of the can count. So on one of our last trips I counted every can by hand and following the machine count found they shorted us more then $20.00. I complained to the manager and was told he was having issues with the machine but he would refer to the "video"? Several minutes later he came out and gave us our money. He suggested we purchase plastic bags they sold since we were counting the bottle, which we did. Two weeks ago I returned, all my bottles and cans counted in the bags I was told to purchase. After waiting 45 minutes I got to the counter and was "randomly chosen" by the manager to have my bottles counted by hand. One of my bags was taken on the side and counted. I was told I was three bottles short because three of them were crushed and that every bag I was returning will have three items deducted from the bag. I asked to speak to the manager. When he came up, I reminded him that this was not the first time I had an issue and his loud response, "Ya I know who you are, I remember!" He then took all of my bags and handed them back to me. All $74.00 worth!!! I asked for the name of the owner and was told that there was nothing I could do. Embarrassed and upset I left with my recyclables returning them to the grocery store. I have since found out that all recycling centers are privately run and are registered with DEEP. Next stop a formal complaint to the state!!! Words to the wise, if you want to be treated decently and honestly DO NOT recycle here!!

The ladies are very helpful and kind. It's a rough spot to work at. I give them a lot of credit. Once you make your first trip here and then realize what to bring and how to separate your bottles, it all becomes a piece of cake. Thanks to the beautiful young lady who helped us out and kept on smiling.