BUFFALO, N.Y. — A bottle and can redemption facility in Western New York is making strides in saving the planet while employing people with disabilities.

What You Need To Know

  • Empties for Empower is a bottle and can redemption facility run by Empower WNY
  • It employs people with disabilities
  • It also gives employees valuable customer service and job experience

Empower WNY’s bottle and can redemption program called ‘Empties for Empower’ employs people with different abilities to sort materials, count items and give customers their deposits back.

“The energy is palpable,” said CEO Jeff Paterson.

The moment a car pulls up, workers jump up to greet customers and get to work. The whole process takes just a few minutes.

“I like to work hard with it,” said worker Kendalynn Goeddert.

In 2021, Empties for Empower helped recycle three million bottles and cans according to Paterson, which is the equivalent of 75 tons of materials that avoided going to a landfill.

Worksite supervisor Amanda Rogers said the perks of the job are in the people.

“It’s not a bad day here,” she said. “They are going to make sure it’s a good day or they’re going to make sure you laugh.”

Empties for Empower has locations in North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls.