China Variety & Redemption Inc.
Recycling Center in China, Maine
About This Location
China Variety & Redemption Inc. at 1 Old Waterville Rd in China, Maine is a combined variety store and full bottle-and-can redemption center handling Maine Returnable Beverage Container deposits. The redemption counter takes drop-offs Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with container counting staffed roughly 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (subject to staff availability), so returns left outside counting hours are tallied when a clerk is free. Alongside redemption, the store stocks groceries, beverages, sporting goods, and household supplies and offers propane exchange. Store hours run Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
What China Variety & Redemption Inc. Accepts
What they do not accept
The site does not publish a list of excluded container types. Maine's bottle bill generally excludes non-deposit beverage containers; call to confirm specific items.
Fees
- Beverage container redemption — No fee — customers receive the Maine deposit refund (5¢ or 15¢ per container depending on type).
Access & restrictions
Open to the public · Walk-in (no appointment) · Open to the general public; no residency requirement. Redemption drop-off hours differ slightly from overall store hours — the counter counts returns about 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., subject to staffing.
Programs & events
- Propane exchange — On-site propane tank exchange offered alongside the variety store and redemption counter.
Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the bottle-redemption hours at China Variety & Redemption?
The redemption counter takes drop-offs Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Containers are counted roughly 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., depending on staff availability, so returns dropped outside those times are tallied when a clerk is free.
Is this just a redemption center or also a store?
Both. It is a full Maine bottle-and-can redemption center and a variety store carrying groceries, beverages, sporting goods, and household supplies. It also offers propane exchange.
Do I have to be a China or Kennebec County resident to redeem here?
No. The redemption center serves the general public with no residency requirement — anyone can bring in Maine deposit beverage containers for their refund.
How much do I get back per container?
You receive the Maine deposit refund — 5 cents for most beverage containers and 15 cents for wine and liquor containers — paid out when your returns are counted.
Last verified: November 2026. Sources: source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.