get paid to recycle

Depending on where you live, there is usually a fee charged for each bottle (plastic or glass) and aluminum can that contains a beverage. So whether it's soda, water, tea or beer, if it comes in a can or bottle, chances are good you are paying per container on top of the actual price. Check your grocery receipt next time you shop.

Now you can get some of that money back. Many recyling centers are popping up in and around grocery stores. Many are even automated! This means that bringing your containers in every week is easier than ever. You simply put the container in the hole and when you are finished, push a button and out pops a receipt which you take into the grocery store.

If you have kids, what a great way to get them thinking about the environment and saving. Plus they will probably find it fun to put the cans in the machine. We go about every 10 days or so, and usually have about three dollars worth of recycling - we drink a lot of water.

The down side is that these type of centers don't take all types of containers. They usually won't take milk containers, nor will they take laundry detergent containers. Basically they only take anything that you paid a fee for to begin with, so for the other types of recycling you will have to find another outlet.