bottle return

[ˈbɑːtəl rɪˈtɜːrn]
nounpl: bottle returns
devolução de garrafas
1. The act of returning empty bottles to a store or collection point to receive a refund or deposit back
I took my bottle returns to the supermarket and got five dollars back.
Levei minhas devoluções de garrafas ao supermercado e recebi cinco dólares de volta.
2. A system or program where consumers can exchange empty beverage bottles for monetary compensation
Many states have bottle return programs to encourage recycling.
Muitos estados têm programas de devolução de garrafas para incentivar a reciclagem.
3. The physical location or process where empty bottles are accepted and processed for refund
The bottle return machine was broken, so I had to speak with the cashier.
A máquina de devolução de garrafas estava quebrada, então tive que falar com o caixa.
Bottle return programs are more prevalent in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, where deposit laws require consumers to pay a small deposit on beverage containers that is refunded upon return. This system encourages recycling and is a source of income for some low-income individuals. In Brazil, informal bottle collection and recycling is more common than formal deposit systems, though some states have begun implementing similar programs.
NYC Slang
bottle deposit return (common in states with bottle laws like New York)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
bottle redemptionbottle exchangedeposit returnbottle recycling program
Antonyms / Antônimos
bottle purchasebottle discard

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
devolução de garrafas
Standard term used across Brazil
São Paulo
retorno de garrafas
Common alternative used in São Paulo region
Rio de Janeiro
devolução de vidros
Often emphasizes glass bottles specifically
Portugal
devolução de garrafas
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; less common in Portugal due to different recycling systems

Related Words

depositrefundrecyclingbeverage containerredemption center

Related Idioms & Phrases

collecting bottles for bottle returns
bottle return money
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