AUBURN — A new service called Clynk, designed to make it easier to recycle beverage cans and bottles has begun at Hannaford grocery stores in Auburn and Lewiston.

The program allows customers to bring cans and bottles to stores already in bags, drop off the bag and get credit for the cans and bottles, instead of feeding bottles and cans individually into machines, Hannaford spokesman Matt Paul said.

“It’s a way to integrate the bottle return experience with shopping and do it in an easy, convenient way,” Paul said. “You don’t have to count your own bottles. You use a special tag with a bar code. You drop off the bottles anytime whenever the store’s open. Clynk counts your bottles and credits your account.”

Within 48 hours, the bottle credit is on a customer’s account. The credit can be redeemed in stores or used as a credit.

Clynk is a South Portland company that contracts with Hannaford, Paul said.

The bottle redemption service is not yet in all Hannaford stores, but it is in most. Feedback from customers has been positive, Paul said.

“They think it’s a great service,” he said. “Any time you can make recycling a little easier for folks, they’re going to be more inclined to do it.”

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