Tools- of Changes

Treating Empty Bottles Like Lottery Tickets Could Transform Recycling

The chance at an unlikely but substantial monetary reward gets people more jazzed about recycling than a small but certain reward, according to a new study. The findings suggest that implementing “bottle lotteries” as part of deposit return schemes could increase recycling rates, at no extra cost to local governments.

More people bring bottles to recycle when the probabilistic refund is offered, and on average they each bring more bottles. They also feel happier after choosing the probabilistic refund than the certain one.

Published in August 2025.