Yes, I go through a lot of soda bottles. Diet colas, Sugar Free Red Bulls, I’m guilty and unashamed.
And like a good New Yorker, once my recycle bin is full, I bag up the empties and take them to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands.
Let me explain.
Originally I would take the bottles two blocks from my home to a recycling center on James Street, where I could redeem each bottle and can for six cents apiece. Then last year, when the Orange Goblin just declared by executive fiat to end the penny, my recycling center dropped their redemption rate to 5 cents per bottle or can.
Yep. Donald Trump found yet ANOTHER way to take money from me.
So I changed my tactic.
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society gets eight cents per bottle or can on their redemptions, because they actually sort the various brands AND they’re a nonprofit. So I’m fine with bringing my empties over there and dropping them off, and letting the Humane Society reap the coinage benefits.
Last Friday, after dropping off my empties, I was about to ease my way back onto the main road when I saw – over at the Humane Society’s green walkway and meditation area – a few young deer. They were munching on the green grass. They were enjoying themselves.
Heck, you think I’m NOT going to pull over and get a picture of this? People, how do you think I generate blog content? Do you think I hire little Keebler elves??
I mean … it is a little doe … probably thankful for the couple of bucks I dropped off …
There’s still a belief in me that when you do a nice thing, somewhere later in time you’ll be rewarded.
And a picture of a wild deer having some supper is, in my opinion, better than a few extra coins in the pocket.
Chuck The Writer 
I did not know the US had also abandoned the penny. Canada did it some time ago, in a confusing plan that seems to have only fueled inflation.
There are fresh deer tracks in my yard, but I haven’t seen the actual animals of late so I guess they’re just passing through. Nothing for them to munch on at this time of year. I still like the fact they visit.
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yes, good karma at play
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Pennies have by no means disappeared. I think your recycling center became a victim of human nature.
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I think this is what Chuck is alluding to: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-mint-ends-penny-production-9.6976561
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