Reasons I Elsker DK (# 19)

Reason #19: Denmark's recycling program! In Denmark, getting cash back for your bottles and cans is as easy as one, two, three!

Step One: Save your bottles and cans...

Step Two: Bring them to the grocery store....

There is a special small building outside the store

You go inside and put your bottles into this nifty machine. They are counted/analyzed for size and a receipt is printed. They are then compressed for recycling. 

[This isn't really a part of one of the steps for getting money, but I happened to be walking out when they were collecting all of the compressed bottles at the end of the day)

Step Three:  Take your receipt into the store...

TA DA!

This is 6 DKK, which is just over a buck

Different sized bottles give you a different amount of cash back ranging from $0.25 to $0.75. I only had 4 today, but many people who drink soda or bottled water frequently bring bags full to redeem. Businesses and restaurants also save all of their bottles/cans for recycling. Today I used my 6 DKK to buy 18 DKK worth of candy for my host family to enjoy while we watch X Factor (which we are doing right now). It's not a ton of money, but it is a huge incentive for people to recycle and couldn't be easier. As I eat my candy, I would definitely say that it is one of the reasons that I love Denmark!