501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Michigan

Safer Can Collection. Cleaner Streets. Stronger Circular Economy.

Depositly installs simple shelf attachments on public trash bins so redeemable cans and bottles can be donated - not trashed.

In bottle bill states, beverage containers carry a deposit value. Many people collect them from public bins to earn that refund. Our shelves make this process safer, cleaner, and more dignified for everyone involved.

Request a Pilot or Quote See Our Impact
Depositly shelf installed on a public trash can on a university campus with cans neatly placed on it

Early Pilot Example

University & Municipal installations

The Challenge

The Hidden Problem in Bottle Bill States

In the ten U.S. states with bottle deposit laws, redeemable cans are routinely thrown into public trash bins, lowering redemption and recycling rates. Collectors who depend on these deposits must dig through garbage bins to retrieve them - creating safety risks, litter, and stigma.

Safety Risk

Collectors reach into bins filled with sharp objects, food waste, and unknown materials — creating real health hazards.

Lost Recyclable Value

Deposit-bearing containers end up in landfills instead of being recycled, wasting both economic and environmental value.

Mess & Inefficiency

Searching through bins creates overflow, scattered litter, and added cleanup work for municipal staff.

Our Approach

A Simple Shelf. A Systems-Level Improvement.

The shelf attaches to existing bins. People place cans on the shelf instead of inside the trash. Collectors retrieve them without digging. Waste staff experience fewer scattered trash incidents.

STEP 01

Install Shelf

A durable metal shelf attaches directly to existing public trash bins.

STEP 02

Passerby Places Can

Instead of tossing cans into the trash, people place them on the shelf.

STEP 03

Collector Retrieves Safely

Collectors pick up cans without digging through waste — safely and with dignity.

STEP 04

Aluminum Recycled

Cans return to the recycling loop, saving energy and keeping value in the system.

Low cost · High leverage · Easy to pilot

Why Focus on Cans?

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable — it can be recycled endlessly without losing quality.

Recycling aluminum uses ~95% less energy than producing it from raw materials.

Bottle bill systems create economic value that incentivizes collection. Shelves help close the loop.

Proven Results

Active Installations in Michigan

Depositly has permanent installations at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a city-backed pilot in Grand Rapids — with additional tests bringing the total to 13 shelves deployed.

39%

Observed reduction in deposit-valued landfill waste

18

Total shelves piloted or installed with clients

1st

Placement with NACUFS 2024 Award for Waste Reduction

Our Partners

University of Michigan

Shelves permanently installed across high-traffic central campus locations in downtown Ann Arbor, supporting both sustainability goals and the local community.

City of Grand Rapids, MI

A five-shelf city pilot program in partnership with municipal waste services, evaluating impact on downtown corridors and public spaces.

Adoption

Bring Depositly to Your Community

Designed for campuses and cities. Start with a small pilot, measure impact, then scale.

Who It's For

Universities

  • High foot traffic areas across campus
  • Align with campus sustainability goals
  • Engage students in visible climate action
  • Demonstrate institutional commitment to circular economy

Municipalities

  • Downtown corridors and commercial districts
  • Parks and recreational areas
  • Transit hubs and bus stops
  • Areas where can collection already occurs

Our Process

Community Assessment

We evaluate bins, foot traffic patterns, and collector activity.

Design & Customization

Shelves are fit to your bin types and local conditions.

Pilot Installation

We install a small batch and establish monitoring.

Scale & Support

Use pilot results to expand with guidance and additional units.

Start a Conversation

Pricing

Simple Pricing

Depositly is designed to be affordable and easy to pilot. Most communities begin with a small installation (3-5 shelves) to evaluate fit and impact before expanding.

Option 1

Turnkey Shelf Installation

Best for communities that want ready-to-install units.

  • Custom-fabricated metal shelf attachment
  • Designed for durability and outdoor conditions
  • Guidance on placement and rollout
  • Implementation support + consulting

Typical price range

$90–$150

per shelf, depending on quantity, finish and customization

Compared to the cost of a single outdoor trash/recycling receptacle ($700+), Depositly shelves offer a low-cost systems improvement with visible sustainability impact.

Option 2

Consulting & Design Support

Best for cities or universities that want to manufacture locally.

  • Design specifications and blueprints
  • Siting guidance and placement strategy
  • Behavioral messaging recommendations
  • Pilot evaluation framework

Pricing

Custom

Flat consulting fee based on scope

Ideal for communities with local fabrication capacity who want design expertise and implementation guidance.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Depositly reinvests revenue into research, pilot development, and program expansion. Our goal is long-term community impact — not product sales.

Request a Detailed Quote

We'll respond within 2–3 business days.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Shelves are designed to complement existing waste infrastructure, not disrupt it. Sanitation staff generally report fewer incidents of scattered trash and overflow around bins equipped with shelves.

Yes. Our shelves are fabricated from powder-coated steel or aluminum, designed to withstand rain, snow, UV exposure, and daily use in public outdoor environments.

Depositly handles installation for turnkey orders. For consulting clients, we provide detailed installation guides that any maintenance team can follow. Installation typically takes 15–30 minutes per bin.

Typical pilot pricing ranges from $250–$500 per shelf depending on quantity and customization. Volume discounts are available for larger rollouts. Consulting engagements are priced on a flat-fee basis.

Absolutely — that's our recommended approach. Most communities start with 3–10 shelves to evaluate fit and impact before considering expansion.

Our pilot data suggests the opposite. By giving cans a visible, designated place, shelves tend to reduce the scattering and overflow that occurs when collectors search through bins.

Bring Depositly to Your Community

If your campus or city is in a bottle bill state and looking for practical, visible recycling improvements, we'd love to talk.

Get in Touch Schedule Intro Call

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