To celebrate his first year in business, Lewiston Redemption Bottle & Can Return owner Bill Schiavitti is offering his customers more of a return on their empties.
"For the month of March, we're going to give an extra 10 percent" on their deposit, he said Thursday. Schiavitti said the bonus is a way to show his appreciation to patrons.
"Thanks to the community for supporting us the first year in business," he said. "We look forward to being here a long time."
Schiavitti noted, "We get new customers every day, which is a good thing. People are still finding us, which bodes well for us in the future."
"Another thing I take pride in, a lot of our customers that do come that are new customers, 99 percent of them return," he said. "They all make comments: 'I can't believe how clean it is. It doesn't smell like a typical bottle and can return center.' We try to keep it as clean as possible."
Lewiston Redemption also collects funds for more than a dozen local non-for-profit, advocacy, religious, youth and first-responding organizations. Moreover, when customers donate their bottle and can returns to a cause, Schiavitti kicks in an extra 10 to 20 percent. (See the list below.)
The business also rents out - for free - recycling bins for parties or events. Just make sure to bring them back full of bottles and cans.
Lewiston Redemption is located at 820 Seneca St., Lewiston.