Supermarkets were buying back empty glass bottles in Italy in the 70s so people didn't send them to a landfill anymore. My parents handed bottles to a clerk at a desk, got some coins, then we started shopping.
A grocer near me (California) still operates this way for certain items. My wife and I go there for cream and milk from a nearby dairy and there's a $1 (I don't remember the exact value, it may be $2 or even $3) deposit on the bottle. Bring the (clean) bottle back and you can swap it for a new bottle or get your deposit back.
In the UK I sometimes see mention of this scheme on the backs of bottles, but it's denominated in cence (which we don't have) and is for Australia & New Zealand only.
We can recycle them at home of course (though I was surprised to learn not everywhere! It's up to the council! Wandsworth borough of London has no recycling for many flats, unless the landlord cares to provide something) - but not in a supermarket or anywhere for cash incentive.
Then plastic bottles took over the world.