Recycle.
Fundraise.
Repeat.
NYCReturns turns your school community's everyday recycling into a steady, year-round funding stream — no bake sales, no wrapping paper, no asking families to buy anything.
PS 199 PTA Revenue Project
See how PS 199 on the Upper West Side is using NYCReturns to build a sustainable, year-round revenue stream for their school community. Download the full proposal to bring it to your PTA board.
How Your PTA
Gets Paid
Register Your PTA
Sign up your school PTA in minutes. We verify your organization and set up your earnings account — no cost, no paperwork beyond a simple form.
We Install a Kiosk
NYCReturns installs a drop-off kiosk at your school — in the lobby, cafeteria, or wherever works best. We handle all setup, maintenance, and collection.
Community Drops Off
Students, parents, and staff bring bottles, cans, and other eligible materials. We provide promotional materials and a student engagement curriculum to drive participation.
PTA Earns Monthly
Funds accumulate in your PTA dashboard and are paid out monthly by direct deposit. Track earnings in real time and see exactly what your community recycled.
How Much Can
Your School Earn?
Earnings scale with your school's enrollment and community participation. The projections below are based on average participation rates across NYC schools in the NYCReturns program.
* Projections based on 40% household participation, 10 items/week average. Actual earnings vary. Additional revenue from cardboard, paper, and other materials not included.
Schools generate significant cardboard and paper waste. NYCReturns processes these materials too, adding meaningful additional revenue beyond bottle deposits.
What Your PTA
Can Fund
Funds a Future
When your community recycles, the money stays in your school — funding the programs and experiences that make a real difference for kids.
PTA FAQ
Is there any cost to the PTA?
No. NYCReturns covers all setup, installation, and ongoing maintenance costs. There are no fees, no contracts, and no minimum participation requirements.
What materials can be recycled?
All NY State deposit bottles and cans (plastic, glass, aluminum) earn $0.05 each. Cardboard, paper, and other materials earn additional revenue by weight.
How does the PTA receive funds?
Earnings are deposited directly to your PTA's bank account monthly. You can also track real-time earnings and material volumes in your online dashboard.
How do we get students and families involved?
We provide a free student engagement program including classroom activities, collection challenges, and impact reports so kids can see the difference they're making.
Can we run a one-time recycling drive instead of an ongoing program?
Yes — we support both ongoing programs and one-time collection drives. Many PTAs start with a drive and convert to an ongoing program after seeing the results.
Bring NYCReturns
to Your School
Register your PTA today — free setup, no contracts, and your first earnings check arrives within 30 days of your kiosk going live.
Free setup · No contracts · First payout within 30 days