ANNOUNCEMENTS
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY WE ARE CLOSED ON SATURDAY'S!!!
Fall/Winter Hours & Service Update
Making Cents Redemption Center will be transitioning to our Fall/Winter operating schedule beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
As part of this seasonal change, we are adjusting our public hours based on customer traffic, operating costs, staffing needs, and feedback from the community.
Labor Day
Making Cents will be CLOSED Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day.
New Fall/Winter Walk-In Hours
Monday: 3:00 PM–6:00 PM
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED
Monday Appointments
Appointments will be available Mondays:
8:00 AM–10:00 AM
11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Drop-Off Service
Our convenient drop-off service is available:
Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM–2:00 PM
What's the Difference Between an Appointment and a Drop-Off?
We know these two services can sometimes be confusing, so here's the difference:
APPOINTMENT
When you schedule an appointment, you bring your containers to Making Cents at your scheduled time. Your containers are counted while you are here, and you are paid at that time.
Appointments are a convenient option for customers who cannot make it during our regular public walk-in hours.
DROP-OFF
Our drop-off service is designed for customers who don't want or need to wait while their containers are processed.
Simply bring your containers to Making Cents during our drop-off hours, leave them with us, and go. We will count and process your containers for you.
You then return approximately 1–2 weeks later to pick up your money.
You do not need an appointment to use our drop-off service UNLESS you have more than 12 of our can liner bags or a large amount of glass.
Between our regular walk-in hours, Monday appointments, and drop-off service available five days a week, we are working to provide customers with several different options for redeeming their containers.
If none of these options work with your schedule, please call or email us. We will always do our best to accommodate customers whenever possible.
Why Are We Changing Our Hours?
As a small, locally owned business, we continually evaluate customer traffic and operating costs to make sure our resources are being used where they are needed most.
Saturday traffic has not been sufficient to justify the cost of remaining open, so Saturdays will be discontinued as part of our Fall/Winter schedule.
At the same time, we have heard from customers who have asked us to provide evening hours again. We listened.
Monday evening hours from 3:00–6:00 PM are returning to better accommodate customers who work later in the day.
These decisions are not made lightly. Our responsibility is to balance accessibility for our customers with the financial sustainability of the redemption center so that Making Cents can continue serving the Dubuque community long-term.
More Options Are Coming
We are also actively working on future improvements and expansion that we believe will provide customers with more convenient redemption options, greater accessibility, and additional opportunities to redeem.
There are still details being finalized, so we aren't ready to announce a specific timeline just yet. However, we are excited about the direction Making Cents is heading and look forward to sharing more information as those plans develop.
Thank You for Your Patience
The past year has been an adjustment period for Making Cents as we have worked to determine the best way to operate a sustainable redemption center while continuing to meet the needs of our community.
We sincerely appreciate the customers who have been patient with us, supported our small business, provided constructive feedback, and adapted alongside us.
We are listening to our community. We are learning from what works and what doesn't. And we will continue making the changes necessary to build a stronger and more accessible redemption program for the future.
Thank you for supporting Making Cents Redemption Center.
Website: www.makingcentsdbq.org
Phone: 563-585-1092
During drop-off hours, customers may use the overhead door. Please see below for full drop-off policies and procedures.
.
. Thank you again for supporting our small local business — it truly means more than you know.
You can also check out our Facebook page for updates as well!
Interested in Doing a Fundraiser for Your Organization?
Collecting cans and bottles is a great way to raise money while also helping keep the environment clean!
If your organization, team, school, rescue, or group is interested in setting up a fundraiser, give us a call at (563) 585-1092 and we would be happy to help get everything set up.
Thank you for donating and supporting this month’s fundraiser! 💙
Our Mission
At Making Cents, our mission is to provide a clean, efficient, and respectful environment for the redemption of recyclable beverage containers. We are committed to supporting Iowa’s Bottle Bill by helping reduce waste, promote sustainability, and encourage community participation in environmental stewardship. Through exceptional customer service and responsible recycling practices, we strive to make a positive impact on our local environment, economy, and the quality of life for all Iowans.
Policies
We take our policies very seriously. Failure to follow any of the below rules may result in us asking you to leave and come back when all the standards are met. We have the right to refuse any customer.
- We DO NOT accept any non-nickel containers. All contents must have the Iowa 5 cent deposit, and may not be mixed with non-nickels
- All containers MUST be separated. We accept cans and plastic bottles in bags, and glass bottles in boxes
- All contents must come in a CLEAR or WHITE bag before you enter the facility (as long as you can see through the bag). You will not be waited on if your cans and bottles are in a black garbage bag, or in boxes
- There is a 500 limit. The state law only allows us to have a 500 container limit per person, per day
- All cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles MUST be clean and dry. All bags must also be free of trash and foreign objects
- All glass bottles MUST come in a box or container, not in a bag of any form
- We will NOT accept any cans or bottles that are smashed or flattened. All containers must be able to generally hold their shape, and stand up on their own
- No shoes, no shirt, no service
SERVICES
WALK-IN
Our walk-in service, also known as "public" service, is designed for customers redeeming 500 containers or fewer. This is our most commonly used service.
To use this service:
- Bring your white or clear bags to the designated table.
- Dump the contents onto the table and step back so our employees can accurately count your containers.
- Once counting is complete, you’ll receive a receipt with your container total.
- Bring the receipt to the cashier to receive your payout.
For a complete list of policies and important rules that must be followed in order to be served, please see our Policy Section.
DROP-OFF
Drop-Off Times Until Sept. 7th
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7am-2pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 8am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
If these hours don't work for you please call for an appointment and we will try and accommodate you.
Drop-Off Requirements:
- If you have a large amount of glass or more than 12 of our can liner bags, you must schedule an appointment.
- Plastic and cans must NOT be mixed in the same bags.
- All plastic and cans must be placed in clear can liner bags, securely tied with a double knot.
- Glass must be in boxes.
- All containers must be clean and dry — no exceptions.
- For the full list of rules, please see our Policy Section.
Drop-Off Process:
- If you believe you have more than 500 containers, or prefer not to wait in line, you are welcome to use our drop-off service. Please note you must have at least 2 bags worth of containers in order to drop.
- Please note: You may **either drop off or use walk-in service—**you cannot do both on the same day.
- Drop-offs are accepted at the overhead door to the right of the main entrance.
- You will be asked to fill out a drop-off slip with your:
- Name
- Phone number
- Number of bags or boxes
- Name
An employee will be available to assist you and answer any questions.
Once complete, you will receive a yellow copy of the slip — do not lose it! This is required to collect your payment.
Processing & Payment:
- Processing may take up to 10 business days.
- We will hold your payment for up to 90 days.
- To pick up your payment, bring your yellow slip to the cashier.
- Drop-offs exceeding $100 will be paid by check.
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising Opportunities:
Looking to Raise Money?
If you're raising money for a local charity, organization, school, or non-profit, hosting a can and bottle drive is a fun and impactful way to make a difference!
We’re happy to support community fundraising efforts. Here’s how to get started:
- Contact us with details about your fundraiser and how you plan to collect and deliver the containers.
- You may choose to:
- Designate a drop-off location within our facility, or
- Schedule a specific drop-off day for your group to bring the containers in.
- Designate a drop-off location within our facility, or
We’ll work with you to ensure your fundraiser runs smoothly and successfully.
For more information or additional fundraising ideas, please email us at:
📧 make3centsdbq@gmail.com
FOR SALE
Can Box: $8.00 +tax
Can Liners: 50 cents a bag OR $5 for a roll of 10
DO's and DONT'S
Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
Making Cents
160 North Crescent Ridge, Dubuque, IA 52003 Behind the Hobby Lobby , Accross the parking lot from the Home Show Outlet!
HOURS OF OPERATION ALSO SEE DROP HOURS as they are different
Mon | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | |
Tue | 10:00 am – 04:00 pm | |
Wed | By Appointment | |
Thu | 10:00 am – 04:00 pm | |
Fri | By Appointment | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
WE DO CLOSE OVER THE LUNCH HOUR FROM 12PM-1PM on Tuesday and Thursday!
SEE DROP SCHEDULE UNDER DROP HOURS
**PLEASE NOTE**we will cut our line 30 minutes prior to closing time if there are more than 30 people in line!!
BOOK EXPRESS APPOINTMENT
APPLY TODAY
Looking for a new job? Apply today in 3 easy steps!
- Open the document in a new window here
- Print it out
- Fill it out completely
From there, feel free to email it to make3centsdbq@gmail.com or hand it in at our location. Please don't hesitate to email or call with any questions that you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!
IOWA BOTTLE BILL
The Bottle Bill was intended not only to reduce beverage container litter, but to conserve natural resources through recycling and reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfills. Not only does it help the environment, but it creates job opportunities. The following links will guide your understanding and knowledge of the Bottle Bill.
The Iowa Recycling Association is in favor of the Bottle Bill. This website breaks down what the Bottle Bill has accomplished, how it works, and how it can be improved.
The Bottle Bill Resource Guide is an excellent website explaining why the Bottle Bill is important for the environment, and how recycling your containers makes the Earth cleaner and greener.
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