Recycling Centers in China, ME
Find drop-off recycling locations in China, Maine. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Residents of China, Maine can use this directory to locate nearby recycling drop-off locations. Whether you have household recyclables or specialty items like electronics or batteries, the facilities listed here can help you dispose of materials responsibly.
Recycling in China: A Local Guide
China, Maine — a rural town in Kennebec County — has two independent bottle-and-can redemption centers serving the Route 3 corridor. Maine's bottle bill requires beverage retailers and distributors to fund a statewide network of redemption sites, and these two small local businesses fulfill that role for China-area residents by accepting deposit-marked containers and paying back the state refund.
China Variety & Redemption Inc. at 1 Old Waterville Rd is a full-service redemption center combined with a variety store carrying groceries, beverages, sporting goods, and household supplies. The redemption counter accepts Maine-deposit bottles and cans Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (counting staffed approximately 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), and is closed Sunday. No residency requirement applies — the refund is 5¢ for most containers and 15¢ for wine and spirits bottles over 50 mL. Propane exchange is also available on-site.
Roddy's Redemption at 110 Route 3 (ME-3 S) in South China operates on a limited weekly schedule, with returns accepted Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Independent hand-sort centers like this one manage volume by keeping tight hours. As of November 2026, the same address and phone number (207-445-5822) are also listed under the name "Tam's Rte 3 Redemption Center," suggesting possible new ownership — call ahead to confirm the current name and hours before bringing a large load.
Both centers accept only beverage containers carrying the Maine deposit marking; out-of-state containers without the ME deposit label cannot be redeemed at either location. For glass, plastics, paper, or electronics recycling not covered by the bottle bill, the nearest comprehensive options are in Waterville or Augusta.
All Recycling Centers in China
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in China
Where can I redeem bottles and cans in China, ME?
China has two redemption centers: China Variety & Redemption Inc. at 1 Old Waterville Rd (Mon–Sat, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 207-968-1115) and Roddy's Redemption / Tam's Rte 3 at 110 Route 3 in South China (Tue–Wed, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 207-445-5822). Both pay the Maine deposit refund for eligible containers.
How much is the Maine bottle refund at these centers?
You receive 5¢ for most beer, soda, water, hard-cider, and noncarbonated drink containers, and 15¢ for wine and spirits bottles larger than 50 mL. The container must display the Maine deposit marking to qualify.
Can I return bottles on Sunday in China, ME?
No. China Variety & Redemption is closed on Sundays. Roddy's Redemption / Tam's Rte 3 is only open Tuesday and Wednesday. Plan your returns for weekdays or Saturday at China Variety.
Do I need to be a Kennebec County resident to use these centers?
No. Maine's bottle-redemption program is open to anyone — no residency requirement applies at either China center. Bring any Maine-deposit-marked containers and receive the standard refund.