Probably around a year ago I got an e-mail at work (I am a librarian) from the children’s department asking people to save bottle caps and bring them in for some kind of craft they were going to be doing. Easy enough. Fast forward a couple weeks, my bottle caps had been delivered, the children’s department was done with their craft project, and I started wondering what else could be done with the bottle caps. So, I checked out eBay. And yes, of course, people do sell bottle caps on eBay. So I started saving. And saving. And saving. I put a Priority Mail shoe box in our pantry, and every time I had some clean/dry bottle caps, I dropped them in the box. I didn’t write down when I started saving the bottle caps, but I would guess it may have taken me close to a year to fill the box? I know that begs the question – is it really worth the time and effort? For me, sure. I already recycle absolutely everything I can, so I felt like this was just an extension of what I was already doing. 792 bottle caps later (give or take – my 4yo helped me count them), the box was full!
Of course the next question is – will the bottle caps actually sell? Answer: yes!
Sold: $39.95 (5 days after listing)
And the icing on the cake is – they’re already in a box, ready to ship! (Always my least favorite part of the process.) Happy selling! 🙂
Pamela S Wade says
September 5, 2015 at 11:08 amWow! I guess I need to start saving bottle caps! Did your price include shipping or was that extra? Great sale! ~~Pam
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Kari @ She Thrifts says
September 5, 2015 at 11:10 amI did include free shipping in this sale.
nancy says
September 6, 2015 at 4:11 amNice Sale!! I just started saving them a couple of months ago and it will probably take me at least a year. Money wise it’s probably not worth my time but it makes me feel good knowing they aren’t going into a land fill. I’m shocked at how much you got for them and how quickly they sold. Kudos! Are you starting a new box?
Kari @ She Thrifts says
September 6, 2015 at 11:40 amI feel the same way – I know logically the time spent doesn’t make it worth the money at the end of a year. But then again, I spend time making sure other things get recycled properly, and I don’t get any money at all for that. I did start another box. 🙂
Lorrraine says
September 6, 2015 at 3:00 pmNice sale! That’s awesome! I’ve seen a lot of bottle cap art lately. It must be a growing trend.
Kari @ She Thrifts says
September 7, 2015 at 8:57 amWhere do you see it? I can’t remember coming across any. I’ll have to keep an eye out.
Penny says
September 7, 2015 at 4:29 amAre you also saving the ones with codes as well? I tried to save paper towel and toilet paper rolls but just do not have the room to store until I decide to sell. But I might start saving caps though. Thank You for sharing.
Kari @ She Thrifts says
September 7, 2015 at 9:00 amI made it clear in the listing that they are not to be purchased for codes. I included “NO CODES” in the title, and put this in the description:
Any that may have codes on them are probably expired or already used. These are being sold for craft supplies, not codes.
Kimberly says
September 7, 2015 at 2:33 pmI hadn’t thought about selling the bottle caps I use everyday. This is great! Just to add, I have sold vintage milk bottle caps that I’ve picked up at the auction for practically nothing. I’ve gotten between $15-$25 a piece for them.
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Kari @ She Thrifts says
September 7, 2015 at 5:28 pmThat’s a fun flip. I’ll have to keep an eye out for vintage milk bottle caps. Thanks for the tip.
Margaret @ Live Like No One Else says
September 10, 2015 at 4:29 amI agree, it’s like getting paid for recycling! It’s a win/win! Although they do go for more than I thought they would. 🙂
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