There’s still time to help collect 1 million bottles and cans to support Lighthouse

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, pop cans and bottles have been piling up in garages and sheds across the state for several months. Bottle returns were suspended back in March because of the coronavirus.

As a result, many Michiganders have amassed a stash they can’t wait to unload – if it wasn’t for the long lines and limited return hours they’re expected to face come June 15, when many retail redemption machines are set to roar back to life.

Now, there’s another option – Project Can-Do, a chance to donate some or all of your stockpile to Lighthouse.

“We’re hoping to collect 1 million bottles and cans by the end of the summer,” says Lighthouse Development Director, Russ Russell. “So far, the response has been great. People have been so generous. They’re coming by with cars full of cans.”

Money raised through Project Can-Do will help us provide food and shelter for metro Detroiters hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve more than doubled our emergency shelter capacity and we’re serving thousands of children, families, seniors and individuals each week with emergency food. The increased costs, along with the postponement of fundraising events, means we need your help now more than ever.

Volunteers collect clean returnables from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at Webster Elementary School, located at 640 W. Huron in Pontiac.

According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, all retailers with bottle return facilities located at the front of the store or housed in a separate area and serviced exclusively by reverse vending machines requiring minimal or no person-to-person contact must resume the collection of returnable beverage containers no later than June 15. .

In addition, retailers may, at their discretion, take any or all of the following steps:

• Limit the number of beverage containers that may be returned by a single individual per day to a deposit refund amount of $25.
• Establish special or limited hours of operation for bottle return facilities.
• Limit the number of available and operating reverse vending machines.
• Periodically close bottle deposit facilities as needed for cleaning and supply management.
• Implement such other procedures or restrictions as each retailer may determine are necessary or advisable to promote safety and/or efficiency.

Donating to Lighthouse could save you time and hassles – and make a difference for thousands of metro Detroiters in need.

Thank you to all who have donated so far!