Express Redemption Center in
Wallingford Township (CT)

Bad experience. My 12-year-old son recycled $80 worth of bottles, and after 3 weeks, they tore up his receipts and never paid him. This has never happened before. It's unfair what they do to a child; one spends up to 2 hours redeeming, and to get them to tear up the receipts without my permission, even though I told them not to tear them up, they ignored me and tore them up horribly. What they did was... I asked the manager for a phone number to call, and he said there was nothing he could do. I don't think it's fair.

Staff was wonderful. Very clean place. They will immediately unload full bins if your machine fills up. My son an I save our cans and bottles for approximately 6 mths at a time and we normally go to stop and shop but after trying here today we will never return at stop and shop again this place is so much easier!!! Thank you to the staff we will be back!!

Multiple machines that take almost any bottle or can, then those that the machines don't take you just bring to the counter to be counted. Cleaner than most other redemption centers and doesn't have the "funky" smell either. Would recommend checking it out for your returnables.

Marielle (sp?) is the woman that reviewer @nicole.secore is referencing. I couldn't agree more. While surrounded by literal chaos, she remains consistently and genuinely calm, helpful, pleasant, and clearly dedicated to the customers. Such a rarety in these days. I have finally taken advantage of their drop-off service. They will do the work and give you 8¢ per can in a variety of options such as cash, Venmo, etc. Over the years this business has continuously improved with innovative ideas and modern improvements designed to cater to the current customer base and attract new ones. Most recently they have created an app called Recycle Bucks (unfortunately at the moment they are having difficulty with the Android platform). It promises rewards, giveaways, and other promotions. I've seen redemption centers come and go but this one is thriving and strives to remain a solid fixture in the recycling world.

I've been going to this redemption center with no problem for years (I was even VIP when I won a $25 gift card in the drawing), but today was my last visit, I won't be back. They've hired employees to process all the bottles/cans people drop off in bulk and these new hires take up 2 machines! And they are using the best machines, the newest ones that work the best and customers who walk in are relegated to the older machines that don't work very well and just waste my time. They have signs on the machines that say "Only use 1 machine at a time." But apparently it doesn't apply to their employees. And when you try to ask them to let you use one of the machines, they give you attitude and yell at you. A few weeks ago, I politely asked an employee who was using 2 machines if I could use one, apparently she couldn't speak English and just pointed to other machines and turned her back on me! Today, a thin, tall, blonde haired woman employee was hogging 2 machines and I asked if I could use one of the machines, she said, "No, I work here." I told her that doesn't matter. She said, "Yes, it does, my boss told me to do this." After I finally successfully completed my redemptions and got paid, I spoke to the owner, who has always been very nice to me and told her what happened. I explained how rude and attitude laden the blonde haired woman was and she said she would speak to her. I went back to her myself and told her that her boss would be speaking to her. She said, "You asked me if I was using the machine." I told her not to lie, I asked her if I could use the machine. What happened to customers are always right? Why was she so combative and angry? she got angry and said, "have a good day, Sir" and turned her back on me. I went over to throw out my trash and yelled over to her that every other employee in the past has very nicely given up their machine for customers with no attitude and she should do the same. She swore at me ! I told her to watch her language. I told her if she wasn't such a prima donna she would get along better with people. At this point the blonde just ignored me. I have a friend who stopped going here because the other customers were rude but I never had a problem with them, it's these temporary employees they are hiring to put bottles and cans in machines that are the problem. They should be doing this after hours when customers aren't there OR only use the machines in the back room OR only use 1 machine at a time when customers are there. It's not just 1 or 2 they have a whole gaggle of these employees and the machines are in very short supply because of them. Do you need more reasons to avoid this store? 1. No air conditioning, in the summer I have to take a shower when I get home, I'm dripping sweat 2. Customers who empty their bag/box of glass bottles into a carriage causing a deafening noise all over the place. If you want to do that, do it outside, or better yet, why not just take them one at a time out of the box/bag and put in machine? These people don't have the common sense God gave a gnat and 3. Driving to leave the parking lot, you have one more hurdle to deal with. The parking lot does not have arrows painted on the ground and these idiots either don't have a driving license or don't know how to drive cause they invariably get as close to the right side curb as they can, even when they want to turn left! There is plenty of room for 2 lanes outgoing in parking lot and 1 incoming, but bird brains can't figure that out. And the traffic on Church street is very busy, so you will be sitting there a long time. On more than one occasion I have driven around 3 cars waiting to leave and turned right and got out quickly while they just sit there !!! It's too bad, I enjoyed going there before these developments, but nothing good lasts forever. Life is too short to deal with people like this. I am just posting this here to let others know if you don't want to put up with nonsense like this, go elsewhere, I will be!

Very nice place to return your bottles. I never have an issue with the workers there they are so nice and helpful especially the very sweet spanish girl that is always working. She so very helpful and does everything she can to make all the customers get their returns done as fast as possible. If it wasn't for her I don't feel that the place would run as smoothly as it does there. She is an amazing worker very friendly always is in a good mood and smiling. Unfortunately I don't know her name, but I will definitely hopefully get her name tomorrow. She amazing she should get a raise.

Always seem to get an open machine. They keep machines maintained when they get filled. The workers there are friendly, I go every few weeks. Been going for quite a while now haven't had any issues

Return somewhere else!!! Machines always breaking down and a lot of recyclables not programmed so they tell you to come back another day. Also I’m sure we all forget a receipt in our pockets and bring it back next time. Nope not here, we can’t take that it’s from last week… btw he was sure to rip it up and throw in his box before he told me though.. just a hassle here and cans are a hassle by themselves so don’t fibbers and add to it.

Workers are very helpful at first visit. Before we even put one can in, a worker came over with a milk crate for my 5 year old so she could reach and then they offered candy to her upon our cashing out.

I come to this redemption center on a regular basis and have found them to be friendly, helpful and fair - even pointing out some products that I thought were ineligible because they didn’t go through the machines as being valid at the redemption table when checking out. Their summation of the redemption $ has always been accurate. The only issue I’ve ever encountered is the machines breaking down but that is understandable given the volume and they’ve recently converted to newer machines. Great manager and highly recommend.

First time visiting here. The workers were pleasant and helpful. I like it better than the redemption centers at the grocery stores. They take everything which is better than going from one store to another..Plenty of baskets to bring in your bottles from the car. I will definately go here again

I had never been to a redemption center before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. This place has self-service machines into which you can feed your CT-deposit cans and bottles. The machines accept pretty much all brands, including store brands. Any CT-deposit returnables that the machine doesn't like can be brought to the counter where an attendant will process them manually. With this self service method, you get the full amount of the deposit. However, they also have a service where you can drop off your returnables and they will process them for you. You can either pick up your cash later or they can send it to you electronically. With this method you will receive 4¢ for each return instead of 5¢ which seems like a fair deal to me. All of this information was explained to me by a very patient attendant named Mariel, who was super friendly and helpful!

I've been here a few times. The staff are exceptionally helpful and nice. They're one of the few places that accept all brands, as long as there's a "CT" printed on the cans or bottles. They have a good amount of machines and are indoors, as opposed to some other redemption centers I've been to. It's a bit of a trek for me, but it's worth it. ??

Generally very happy with the new iteration of this redemption center. Previous owners kept it spotless and moving. New management is working hard to maintain this. Some machines are slower than others, they don't scan the barcodes that well, but the employees are friendly and very hard working. Hey, I won't turn down a free money. Even if it takes a bit longer.

I've been to this center about three times now within the past month. The crew working here have all been excellent. My interactions with Onell, Mariel, and June have been nothing but the best. They are pleasant, always on the move ensuring the machines continue running smoothly and always ready to accommodate the customer. They also cash you out quickly and efficiently. Thank you guys/gal! Will keep coming back.

Had to edit an older review. Place is under new management and its made a big difference in how the center is run. The guys working there were on the floor ready to help, they were cleaning and servicing the machines and more importantly they were pleasant to interact with!

Visited twice today. The New Management is wonderful. Staff was very pleasant and polite. "June" kept checking in to see how the machines were working. The second time, the machines were very temperamental which is understandable considering most of them have been there since the original place M&M was there. Clean atmosphere. They won't accept glass bottles that won't go through the machines which is a little frustrating.

I very rarely review places. However, after seeing the reviews for this redemption center, I figured I would because it seems that whoever owned/ran it in the past is long gone and the people who own/run it now deserve a glowing review. I went to this redemption center for the first time today. It was clean, orderly, and the staff was great! The machines were emptied out or fixed promptly a few times while I was there today too. The staff even helped me with the bottles I couldn't get the machine to read. I will gladly make the 20 minute drive from a town over when I need to recycle my bottles and cans again. Thanks for the great experience!

I was skeptical about coming here because of the negative reviews. However, they are under new management and they made everything go so smoothly. it was my first time and there were a lot of people and they still managed to go around and make sure everyone was okay to see if they needed help. If there was machine full they came within seconds to get it emptied. I came here with about 6 bags i been storing and finally made it in and i am glad i did. Definitely will be coming back as they made this process easy peasy!

The people that work Saturday's until close, are awesome! I have had issues in the past with some staff! So bad that at one point I would not go there. But now they have great staff! ? I now go there because the staff is so awesome! I'd rather go there then any other location because they are so nice and professional! I'm really glad that the owner hired better staff! Thank you for all your hard work! To me you all are essential staff and very under appreciated!!!! ☮?&?

Good news people! This place is under new management. And what a difference! I previously rated M&M one star. Now I rate it 4 stars. The new staff are staying on top of things: cleaning, emptying machines, paying, and helpfulness. There is only one holdover from the regime that once ran the place. AND no more signs to tip the workers. I highly recommend you give the place another chance.

I was extremely upset by the staff for making people line up and wait outside in the hot sun.i was patiently waiting out side at 8:50, and the staff didn’t open until 10:10. Plus if there is a social distancing order why is the staff touching people and not wearing a mask? And under google photo it is listed as open at 8am....It just to small of a place for people to be waiting outside,town of Wallingford please fix this so people can do in and out thanks

I had never been there before today. When I pulled in there was a line. It move very quickly. They were only letting a certain amount of people in. Everyone was wearing a mask. The employees that work there were wonderful, attentive, and helpful. A woman that worked there was extremely nice and understanding, when my dad who cant see very well at all was putting boxes in without flattening them and there was a big sign telling u to do that. When my machine was full , she came over immediately to empty it. I guess my ONLY complaint is that they didnt seem to have many plastic machines. What wasnt being used seemed like maybe it was out of order. I would definitely go back there. I have been to bigger redemption centers in the past but they closed down. Those employees had no personality, u were on ur own unless u did something wrong by accident and then they would snap at u. This place should definitely value the great employees there.

This is the first time I've been frustrated enough to write a negative review for any establishment. Several times over the past week the employees have disregarded the advertised hours of operation and opened late and/or closed early without any explanation. The facility is not clean, and the machines do not accept many cans and bottles despite the sign out front stating that all brands are accepted. There are no precautions taken to encourage social distancing, and the environment inside was similar to that of a zoo. I will not waste my time here again, and I encourage everyone else to avoid it as well.

I really like this redemption center! The machines are always working, and the wait is never long. It's usually been pretty clean when I've visited. The staff is helpful and friendly. (However, during my first visit, an employee asked me some personal and invasive questions about my romantic life, which was uncomfortable. I haven't seen him since, though.) Overall, a pretty good place.

Went here for years when it was M&M, and never had an issue. Now that its changed owners it's a terrible experience every single time I've gone...if it's even open when I get there. Have looked at the hours posted before I pack the car with cans. Been there in the morning when they're supposed to be open at 9am, and they STILL weren't open at 10:15am...been there on Saturday morning when they're supposed to close at 4pm, and there's a sign on the door that says "CLOSED". The guy who runs it walks around like hes something special, pushing peoples carts out of his way without saying excuse me. He's constantly being rude to people, and yelling at the customers for all different reasons. Whether someone threw a garbage bag into the garbage can that no one is supposed to use, or if you're at a machine for longer than he expects, he tells you if you don't like it, dont come back. The cashier couldn't walk two feet to get my tickets so I could collect my money...instead she rudely tells an older man who is using one of the can machines he needs to "move his cart over now". I can't believe how unprofessional, and RUDE these people are. I will NEVER return. This is supposed to be a place of business, but is run like a circus. What a joke!

Never post reviews, ever. Especially a bad one, but in the recent past, I have yet to have a smooth experience here. Today I showed up at 1:45 pm to find out they are locking the doors just as I parked, when they're supposed to be open until 4. Other times they have been out of money to pay the customers, and it wasn't just once. Poor management. The employee I spoke to was very nice, as it isn't his fault they are closing over 2 hours early. Unless you're stuck with nowhere else to go, I'd suggest avoiding this redemption center.