Every nonprofit knows the feeling. You run a bottle drive, it goes great, everyone claps, and then six months later you’re starting from zero again. Flyers, volunteers, a borrowed truck, the whole thing all over again.
There’s a better way. Instead of treating your bottle drive like a one-time event, you can turn it into steady, recurring income. Unlimited Redemption works with groups across Upstate New York to make that happen, and it’s easier to set up than you’d think.
Why Should a Nonprofit Set Up a Recurring Program?
A single bottle drive raises money once. A recurring program raises money every month, without anyone having to plan a big event each time.
Here’s what a recurring setup gives your organization:
- Predictable income you can actually budget around
- No burnout from constantly organizing one-off events
- A steady stream of donations from people who already support you
- Less pressure on volunteers to show up for every single drive
Think of it less like a fundraiser and more like a second, quiet source of income for your mission.
How Does a Recurring Bottle Drive Actually Work?
It’s simpler than most people expect. Here’s the basic structure:
- Your members and supporters save up their bottles and cans
- You collect them on a set schedule, weekly, biweekly, or monthly
- We count everything and pay out in cash or a lump sum for your group
- You repeat the cycle, no rebuilding from scratch each time
Once the routine is set, it mostly runs itself. People get used to saving their empties for your cause instead of tossing them in the recycling bin.
Who Is This Good For?
We’ve helped all kinds of local groups build ongoing bottle and can programs, including:
- Religious organizations and churches
- Boy Scout troops and youth clubs
- Bars, restaurants, and golf courses
- Police associations and government offices
- Colleges and regional hospitals
If your group already has a community around it, whether that’s a congregation, a team, or a staff, you already have the raw material for a recurring program.
How Do You Get Started?
Setting one up doesn’t take a big commitment upfront. Here’s how most groups begin:
- Reach out to us and tell us about your organization
- Pick a collection schedule that fits your group’s rhythm
- Decide whether you’ll drop off containers or schedule a pickup
- Spread the word to your members so they know to start saving
That’s really it. No contracts full of fine print, no upfront fees, no complicated logistics to manage on your end.
Drop Off or Schedule a Pickup, Whichever Works Better
Some groups like bringing bags in themselves, especially if a location is close by. Others would rather we come to them, particularly if the volume gets large.
Either option works, and you can switch between them depending on the season or the event.
👉 Schedule Routine Bottle & Can Pickups for Your Organization
Where Can You Bring Your Donations?
Unlimited Redemption has 15 locations across Upstate New York, all conveniently located inside Beer Universe stores.
That includes:
- Albany, Coxsackie, and Amsterdam
- Kingston and Saugerties
- Schenectady-Kelton and Schenectady-Union
- Troy-5th Ave, Troy-Northern, and Troy-Hoosick
- Wynantskill
- Malta, Saratoga, Queensbury, and Wilton
Wherever your group is based, there’s likely a location close enough to make this easy.
Ready to Turn Empties Into Ongoing Support?
A recurring bottle and can program won’t replace your bigger fundraisers, but it adds something most nonprofits don’t have: a source of income that keeps coming in without extra planning every time.
Reach out to Unlimited Redemption, tell us about your organization, and let’s set up a schedule that works for you.
👉 Start a Recurring Bottle & Can Fundraiser for Your Nonprofit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost to set up a recurring donation program?
No. There’s no fee to get started, and you keep the proceeds from every collection.
How often can we schedule collections?
Whatever works for your group, weekly, biweekly, or monthly. You can adjust the schedule anytime.
Do we need a minimum amount of bottles and cans to participate?
No minimum required. Programs can start small and grow as more members get involved.
Can we combine a recurring program with a one-time bottle drive?
Absolutely. Many groups run both, using bigger drives for special pushes and the recurring program for steady income in between.
