Imagine walking into your local Costco with a bag full of plastic bottles and, minutes later, having enough money to get a couple of enormous pizzas from the food court.
That's the reality behind a TikTok video by Kerijoe (@_kerijoe), who showed how simple it is to make some extra spending money — and help the environment — by using the store's reverse vending machines.
"Let me show you how to make $23 at Costco in five minutes," she says.
@_kerijoe Come with me to Costco to make $23 in 5 mins. I brought back our recyclables and walked out with $23 in straight-up cash. What would you do with $23 you didn't expect? 👀💵 #Costco #MoneyHack #BudgetTips #RecyclingHack #ComeWithMe #CashBack #SavingMoney #recycle #savetheplanet #plasticbottle ♬ original sound - K E R I J O E
In the quick video, a person walks up to one of several machines at the Milford, Connecticut, Costco and starts inserting plastic bottles. With each bottle, $0.10 gets added to a running total, until they cash out with an even $23.
Reverse vending machines have grown in popularity in Europe and Australia as effective ways to increase recycling rates. They allow for easy recycling of drink containers made of plastic, glass, and aluminum.
Upon recycling bottles and cans, users get back perks, such as reward points, charitable donations, or cash.
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Data shows these machines can have a big impact on reducing plastic waste. In Lithuania, within two years of introducing reverse vending machines, the recycling rate for drink containers nearly tripled to 92%, and the recycling rate for plastic packaging increased by nearly 20%, The Optimist Daily reported.
And these machines aren't just good for the environment, but they can also reap serious rewards for those willing to put in hard work. An Australian man gained fame by recycling nearly 500,000 cans in reverse vending machines and making enough money to afford the down payment on a two-bedroom home.
"Honestly, this could be a great hustle and a great way to keep the community clean," one commenter wrote.
Many others were jealous that Kerijoe's Costco offered such machines and said they wished their stores would do the same.
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"They should put these in all Costcos," one wrote. "It would be a win for the environment and a win for consumers."
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