The deposit isn’t thrown away. It gets passed on.
Bottles, PET and cans with the SGR symbol are worth 0.50 lei each. On BottleUp, one person gets rid of them without queuing, while another takes them to the machine and makes a bit of money. Local, safe, no commission.
Free · We’ll notify you at launch on iOS and Android · No spam
Coming soon — starting in Bucharest
Example: the collector pays 8 lei on the spot and recovers 12 lei at the machine — the 4 lei difference is their profit. BottleUp takes no commission.
For you, whoever you are
Get rid of it without queuing
Got bags of PET and cans and don’t feel like queuing at the machine? List them, someone from your neighbourhood comes and takes them. You get paid on the spot, no trips.
Collect and return at the machine
You gather packaging from people nearby, take it to the SGR machine and recover the full deposit. The difference is your profit.
How it works
You got rid of your packaging — or you made a bit of money.
List or browse the map
Got packaging? List it in 30 seconds. Want to earn? See offers near you on the map.
Reserve and chat
Reserve the offer and agree over chat where and when to meet. No swapping numbers until you’re sure.
Meet and hand over
You meet, hand over the packaging, the deposit money goes straight between you. At the end, you rate each other.
Local, safe, no commissions
Close to you
Live map with offers within the radius you choose (2–50 km).
No queue at the machine
Pass the deposit on without standing in line at the store.
No commission
The deposit goes straight from hand to hand. We take nothing.
Safe chat
No contact details until you reserve. Moderation and reporting.
Ratings and trust
See each person’s reputation before you meet.
Offer radar
Get a notification when a new offer appears in your area.
How we keep you safe
You’re meeting someone new. We make that as safe as possible.
No personal data
You chat inside the app. Your phone number stays yours.
Mutual rating
You see each other’s reputation before, and rate each other after the meeting.
Report and block
A button at hand for any inappropriate behaviour. We review every report.
Public places
We recommend meeting in busy areas — store car parks, stations, centres.
Good to know
What is BottleUp?
BottleUp is a local marketplace that connects people who have deposit-return (SGR) packaging with people willing to take it to the recycling machine. List what you have, agree over chat and meet up — it’s that simple.
How do I make money with BottleUp?
You take the packaging from someone who doesn’t want to queue, paying them less than the deposit value. You take it to the SGR machine and recover the full deposit (0.50 lei each). The difference is your profit.
What packaging can I list?
Containers with the SGR symbol: PET bottles, aluminium cans and glass bottles, generally between 0.1 and 3 litres, marked with the Deposit-Return System logo. Each one is worth 0.50 lei at the machine.
How much does the app cost?
Downloading and basic use are free. In the future there will be premium options (ad-free, promoted listings), but the essential features stay free.
Does the deposit money go through the app?
No. BottleUp does not handle payments and takes no commission. The deposit money is exchanged directly between you, when you meet. We just connect you.
Is it safe to meet a stranger?
The app has in-app chat with no exchange of contact details until you reserve, a mutual rating system and reporting. We recommend meeting in public places, as with any marketplace.
Which cities does it work in?
We start in Bucharest and gradually expand across the country. Join the list with your city so we can notify you first when we reach you.
Grab a spot in the first wave in Bucharest
Leave your email and city. We’ll notify you first at launch — and you’ll be among the first users.