This rating is based on customer reviews, inventory size, pricing, and service quality
East Haven Bottle Return in East Haven Township, CT earns 78/100: overall fast, clean, and efficient with friendly staff; big loads handled quickly, especially when sorted. Wait times are usually short but can spike on busy Saturdays. Organization and parking are solid, though clearer on‑site guidance is wanted. Complaints focus on payout transparency/acceptance rules (some CT‑marked cans refused, alleged undercounting, rejected items kept) and inconsistent customer service (rudeness, closing‑time issues); a few mention bees. Best results: arrive early and pre‑sort.
What clients say about East Haven Bottle Return in East Haven Township (CT)
Make sure you sort into plastic, cans and glass before you come. If you are there earlier in the day it goes fast! 20 minutes start to finish at 915 on a Saturday morning.
Brought a garbage bag of empty cans there and was turned away because they “ don’t have a contract with the company the cans were from”. Isn’t an aluminum can an aluminum can? They don’t separate and send Pepsi cans and bottle back to Pepsi.
I'm tired of coming here. Every 20 days I bring 4 to 5 65-gallon bags full of cans and bottles and I never make $100. They take 10 to 15 bottles that they don't buy. I ask for them back so I can sell them somewhere else and they say NO and keep them and don't pay me anything for them.
This location in East haven worked very well. They moved fast and efficient. Got through quickly no issues. Would love more clarification on what to do once there but it all worked well in the end
This is the best way to return cans and bottles. Way faster than the one by one machines at grocery stores and Costco and they don't take a percentage. Time saving alone makes it worth it!
It’s a wonderful place to go to to get rid of your files and not have to do it yourself one at a time take take a bath dump be right out boom boom bang you’re done awesome the only thing is they should’ve put a sign out on the other one to say that they moved Because I didn’t even know they moved but definitely a great place
The only thing that I have bad to say about this place is that they really need to start spraying with the bees that are all over which I know is inedible due to the cans, but someone who is highly allergic like myself and that needs a EpiPen. It’s very dangerous coming here.
I brought my bottles minutes before closing time and they told me it was already closed. A RED VAN WITHOUT A REGISTRATION PLATE arrived, probably from another state, and they let it pass. I felt annoyed and angry. Many cars arrive like this. It's not beneficial for the people who are from the town. I'm going to make a report to the ##Mayor and the East Haven Police## so they can do something about it.
They wouldn't accept legit marked CT deposit microbrewery cans, only the glass I brought. This was an experiment due to driving past after a CT family visit. Next time I'll go straight to the West Haven one, as they recognized all the cans and made it faster. I would still have recycled, but it's nice to get that pricey deposit back.
They say there business is based on honesty I say trust no one I went there and always count by bottles clock work I even right them down I don't go by honor system was short 76 bottles they think I don't know you can't see what your getting there's no way to look and keep track of amount you have and they swear there honest well I was short by my records and count and yes I always count my bottles and I always weigh my scrap metal first so much for there excuse of building the business with the honor system that's not good nowadays trust no one believe me I was short on count and they did not care
This place is great albeit a little chaotic at times. But the people working there are awesome, helpful and honest. If you dump your plastic bottles in the counting machine, and there is a single bottle or can they will pull it out and make sure to include it on the receipt. Best thing you can do before arriving is to make sure your bottles, cans and plastic bottles are all separated and in separate containers. As for bottles, bring your own boxes and make sure there are 6,, 12 or 24 in each box. We were there on a Saturday and it was packed with people, and waited about 15 minutes to get to the counting machines. All total, a 25 minute experience.
Very sad how they are starting to steal from us. Only been here a couple times but the last time i just went was last straw. They do not let you see the count of your bottles anymore and for sure are stealing some of the $$ you should make, better off doing it yourself at local grocery store.
I had the worse experience just now, the lady started arguing with her coworker and because of that she started throwing my glass bottles, she grabbed 3 of the boxes which each of them had 48, at first she didnt tell me each box had to have 24 bottles only after throwing them back and forth she told me i had to buy their boxes , so i said okay ill buy the boxes i started separating them when she told me to grab my bottles and do it outside mind you, i brought 15 big boxes and i said she could’ve explained it to me at nicely and she said that if i didnt like it i could just go to shoprite, it sucks this place was my go to and ive always recommended but not anymore.
Will not return here, terrible customer service lady that was dealing with me was throwing out ALL my bottles cause they were a little air out of them I kept taking the bottles out of the trash and putting them back on the belt. She also threw out all my good bottles cause she said they weren’t approved but in fact they were CT approved and I have pictures of the bottles! I got on the phone with the owner and he even said my bottles weren’t flat n they accepted them. But more than half my bottles were already tossed! I go there all the time and never had a problem. Not to mention no one in there understand anything you say so it’s very difficult to communicate with them . I want my refund of all the bottles that she threw out that were good. ! Very dissatisfied I’ve always left with AT LEAST 80$ in cans cause I always bring about 6 tubs of there’s and I left with $35!
Fast. Easy
They dump them on the belt and within 5 mins. done! Friendly staff. You have to drive around to the back of the building. I went before 11:00 am and was able to get a parking space. Oan just separate the recycling before you go. Trust me you will be glad you did. ?
Amazing place to return your empties in East haven. Easy in & out. Big Load done in just under 8 minutes. Very well Managed & helpful staff. Glad now i dont have to go to machines no more.
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