Fundraise with BottleDrop

Raise money for your nonprofit organization by collecting beverage containers with an Oregon refund value.

Two Ways to Drop Donated Containers

Depending on your strategy, qualified nonprofits can return donated bottles and cans in two ways. If you are an individual who wants to contribute to a participating nonprofit, learn about donating through your BottleDrop account.

High-Volume Container Drop

This option is best-suited for organizations hosting a large can and bottle drive event and anticipate collecting several thousand containers in just a few hours or days. Containers must be presorted by material type and dropped off at one of our processing plants. Learn more about High-Volume Container Drops.
BottleDrop Give Blue Bags

BottleDrop Give is the can drive that never ends. You just sign up and distribute Blue Bags to your supporters. Then, they fill the Blue Bags with their empty containers and drop them off at any BottleDrop location or one of our partner retailers at their convenience. They drop ’em. We count ’em. You get the refund. Learn more about BottleDrop Give.

BottleDrop Give in Action

With the cost of a college education prohibitive for many hardworking students, Patty, director of Barlow High School‘s (Gresham) College and Career Center, set out to show students there’s value in the work they’re doing.

$5.5M

Raised by nonprofits in 2023
$36K

Raised by most active fundraiser in 2023
3,554

Online donations from BottleDrop account holders in 2023

How To Raise Funds with BottleDrop Give Blue Bags

Apply
Complete the online application and provide a copy of your IRS determination letter stating your status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. See an example determination letter.

Applications can take up to 10 – 15 business days to process. Approved fundraisers will receive an email with instructions for getting started.
Get Blue Bags
Once approved, order Blue Bags via your online account and pick them up at any BottleDrop Redemption Center. A staff member will locate your account and provide you with bags and bag tags that will be used to identify your bags when you drop them off. Note: Blue Bags must be ordered through your online account.
Distribute Bags and Mobilize Supporters
Place a bag tag on each Blue Bag, then distribute them to your supporters. Plastic, aluminum, and glass can all go in the same bag. No need to sort!

Your supporters can bring full bags back to you or drop them directly at a BottleDrop or one of our partner retailer locations. Scan the bag tag to open the secure Drop Door. Up to 15 Blue Bags can be dropped per nonprofit each day without an appointment. With advance notice, you can schedule an appointment to drop off up to 50 bags at a BottleDrop Redemption Center.
Collect Funds
Monitor your account online and watch your balance grow as your supporters turn in bags! When you’re ready to withdraw some or all of your balance, simply sign in to your account online and request a check. Checks will be addressed and mailed directly to the organization. A one-time, $25 administrative fee will be deducted from your first check request.

Working with BottleDrop Give has been an absolute treat. SnowCap relies on the generosity of the community and all the money that is raised ensures that we can keep our shopping-style food pantry stocked with nutritious food for families and individuals in East Multnomah County that need a little extra help.

— Nate Larson, Volunteer Coordinator at SnowCap Community Charities

Featured Frequently Asked Questions

Most often, if you are using your own tax ID number, we require an IRS Determination Letter verifying your organization is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3). This document should list your nonprofit organization’s nine-digit tax ID number and current mailing address.

If your group is under the umbrella of a larger organization’s nonprofit tax ID number, such as a church, school club, or youth group, we will need the umbrella organization’s IRS determination letter and a letter on their official letterhead granting your specific group usage of the tax ID number. The letter should also state the organization name the checks should be made out to as well as the mailing address to which the checks will be mailed. View a sample format for this letter.

Schools and churches are often able to submit a W-9 in place of an IRS determination letter along with letterhead from the church or school authorizing the specific group to use their tax-exempt status.

Visit our list of common nonprofits and their documentation requirements.

We will deduct a one-time $25 administrative fee from your first check request. Bags cost $2.00 for a roll of ten bags, and there is a processing fee equal to eight percent of the refund value of containers in each bag returned.

For bags dropped at partner retailers, the eight percent processing is paid by the store and not charged to the fundraising account.

Fundraisers can drop off up to 15 Blue Bags each day without an appointment. Appointments can be made for any of our Redemption Centers. Appointments can be scheduled for Monday through Saturday, 9am – 2pm. Appointments must be made at least a week in advance. We cannot accommodate week-of requests. To schedule an appointment, you can call 503-542-2847 or email fundraisers@bottledrop.com. In your request, please state the name of your organization, date, time and the Redemption Center location where you wish to schedule your appointment.

The account holder can email fundraisers@bottledrop.com for assistance. Please note, passwords must be at least 8 characters and contain 1 lowercase letter, 1 uppercase letter, 1 number and 1 special character. If the account holder needs to be updated, additional documentation will be required before a password reset can occur.

To access the money in your BottleDrop Give account, you will need to sign in to the account and click on the “Request a Check” tab. Please review your mailing address, select the amount you would like to withdraw from your account, and submit your request. Checks are processed and mailed within 10-15 business days.

Fundraiser Blue Bags can be purchased online and picked up at any BottleDrop Redemption Center. Each roll contains ten bags and costs $2.00. Up to 10 rolls may be purchased at one time. Simply sign in to your fundraiser account and click the “Purchase Supplies” tab. You can use a credit or debit card to purchase bags or use account funds if available. You MUST purchase bags online before picking them up at a BottleDrop Redemption Center. Blue Bags cannot be paid for at BottleDrop Redemption Centers.

To prevent unauthorized people from purchasing Blue Bags with your fundraising account.

You can purchase up to 10 rolls of bags at a time (100 bags total). If you need more than 100 bags, please email fundraisers@bottledrop.com to see if arrangements can be made for a bulk order.

Your purchased Blue Bag credits are valid at any BottleDrop Redemption Center until collected. If one location runs out of inventory, the remainder of your order can be picked up at a different location or at a later time.

Blue Bags can be dropped off at any BottleDrop or partner retailer. Check our Location Finder to find a drop location. BottleDrop Give accounts are allowed to drop 15 Blue Bags total per day. If you have more than 15 bags to drop, please email fundraisers@bottledrop.com to schedule an appointment at one of our Redemption Centers. Appointments must be made at least one week in advance. Up to 50 Blue Bags may be dropped per appointment.

Nonprofits that have been approved as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization by the IRS can apply for a fundraising account. This includes schools and churches.

Please review our Give Terms and Conditions.