A nickel doesn’t seem like much. Together, they add up.
Every day, thousands of refundable bottles and cans across Western New York enter ordinary waste and recycling streams. Nickel Forward gives businesses, properties, and organizations a simple way to put those containers—and their value—to better use.
50% of redemption proceeds support a Western New York charity or nonprofit selected with each participating partner. The remaining 50% supports program operation & servicing.
How It Works
01
We set it up
Nickel Forward provides clearly marked collection receptacles appropriate for your location.
02
You collect
Customers, employees, residents, or staff place eligible refundable containers in the designated receptacle.
03
We handle everything else
Nickel Forward handles servicing, collection, transportation, maintenance, and redemption.
04
The community benefits
Half of redemption proceeds support a Western New York nonprofit or charitable organization selected with the participating organization.
$0
Cost to participating partners
50%
Of redemption proceeds support local organizations
100%
Collection and servicing handled by Nickel Forward
Who It’s For
One idea. A lot of possibilities.
Restaurants & Bars
Turn eligible containers from dining and bar operations into local impact.
Offices
Give employees an effortless way to make their empty containers count.
Apartment Communities
Provide residents with convenient dedicated collection points.
Gyms & Recreation
Capture eligible beverage containers where they’re consumed.
Hotels & Hospitality
Create value from containers generated by guests, events, and operations.
Community Organizations
Turn everyday recycling into another source of local support.
Built in Buffalo. Built to give back.
Nickel Forward was created around a simple idea: something as small as a five-cent bottle deposit can become meaningful when enough people participate. We bring together local businesses, properties, and residents to build a collection network that turns small individual returns into meaningful local impact.
Small returns. Local impact.
Put your nickels to work.
Interested in bringing Nickel Forward to your business, property, or organization? We work with partners to determine if the program makes sense for your location and identify a simple collection setup.
Contact:
Email: dylan@nickelforward.com
Phone: +1 (716)-564-7658