Grinnell Redemption - Grinnell, Iowa

Douglas F.

Have been in multiple times. Rules for a smooth visit.
1. Count your cans and bottles. If you know exactly how many you have, you'll be out that much quicker. Most of the negative reviews are people who are "guesstimating" how many they have and being disappointed by the amount they get.
2. Separate your items. Plastic/alum/glass. If you don't will be that much more of a hassle to do it when you're there.
3. They sell bags at 50 cents a piece and give you a replacement when you leave. Much easier to deal with and no worry about whether or not they will give your bag/carrier back.
4. Not everything is redeemable. The cans and bottles used by certain vendors may be redemption value in other states but may not be in Iowa (things like non-carbonated drink cans or certain single use water bottles).
5. Try to bring in clean recyclables. They don't have to be perfect but its that much harder to count cans/bottles with liquid in them/are sticky/are mangled. Note, they can't take a can or bottle if it can't stand upright by itself and will have to discard/return it without redemption.

Happy recycling.

Trevor H.

Quick and easy service. Make sure your glass is separated from cans and bottles. Convenient location.

Eric T.

Quick & just as efficient as automated machines; Would seem more cost effective to replace the human element with automated machines seen commonly at various Walmart/Hy-vee stores... only downside with that is only accept the brands they sell. It is surprising that for a mid-sized town with both retail stores in Grinnell that neither has automated machines.

UPDATE:
Posted my original review back in December 2023. Posting this update due to the worst experience I just had with them out of 7-8 visits. Visited on 7/8/24 between 2:30-2:40pm. 4 workers working inside, Came in moments after a couple arrived with a dozen bags for deposit, and had no issue with waiting till they we're done before I was next. Spent at least 5 minutes waiting till 1 worker came up and took my bag. I asked him: "if I can get the bag back too that be great", He looked up at me when I had stated this; He proceeded to dump the cans into the weight bin and just threw the bag away where the workers all toss trash bags... only 1 minute after I had asked for it back. I've had this happen to me before 1/3 of my visits. The reason for the update is the entire time the green shirt guy named "Tyler" by a co-worker, seemed disgruntled. He had 2 co-worker's addressing him on something and the guy just seems to have a "don't give a s*** & don't care attitude" towards his co-workers & customers.
Only affirms my original comment on why doesn't the retail chains In Grinnell not have automated machines like most do across the State. I already walk 1.5 miles to the recycling center with my bags; I'd have no problem with an extra .5 - 1 mile.

On a side note the workers do deserve better working conditions. Just standing waiting my turn for 5 minutes, and it felt like a sauna in there. There should be more than 1 fan in that room + an A/C unit.

Marcy H.

People here are quick but are also very rude. Each time I've come in, I get in and out relatively quickly, but never get spoken to. They grab my bag & hand me money like they're annoyed I'm there - barely, if any, words spoken.
I'm glad they're here and appreciate the service they provide, just wish the people were even just slightly pleasant.

Lori L.

Nice, polite and fast.
Always have good service

Jimmy S.

It's a place to take redemption items into. These prople have a dirty job in a building that's hot and they have customers that don't sort glass from plastic, don't count their cans and baselessly accuse them of skimming, and rarely tip. Give these guys a break and a raise.

Jack S.

Would give zero stars if I could. VERY RUDE employees. Took in 8 overfull bags of cans and bottles. Measured by their bin box and bags, plus added to the top when I pulled them out of the full bin. Received 61$. The time before I got 80$ for 8 bags. Someone is skimming the till.

larry C.

What a rude & crude bunch of employees. Just took in cans & bottles, all separated. With a considerable quantity more than my previous visit, got paid 8.00 + less with the larger amount. Bald punk looking guy says 'that's what it is'. Wouldn't reveal his count, that was that. In the shuffle of things they-employees & myself forgot the replacement bags, returned a bit later & may as well been told I was scamming them. From this point on all my items will be counted. Very dishonest place. They will screw you!