California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

Beverage Container Recycling

Welcome to California’s Beverage Container Recycling Program. Whether you’re a consumer who wants to redeem your empty bottles and cans for cash, a recycling center operator who needs the latest industry updates, or anyone else with an interest in beverage container recycling, you’ll find the information you need on these pages.

CalRecycle, officially known as the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, administers the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act. Beverage containers covered under the act are subject to California Redemption Value (CRV), which is 5 cents for containers less than 24 ounces, 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger. Thanks to the CRV cash incentive, 230 billion aluminum, glass, and plastic beverage containers have been recycled since the program began in 1987.

Californians Recycle

  • Californians Recycle
    Californians bought 21 billion carbonated and noncarbonated drinks in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal containers in 2009. More than 17.2 billion of those containers were recycled, saving natural resources, conserving energy and extending the life of our landfills. Imagine what we’ll accomplish if we recycle the other 3.8 billion!
  • Find A Nearby Recycling Center
    Just enter your ZIP code to find a bottle & can redemption center near you.
  • Recycling Rates
    Biannual Report of Beverage Container Sales, Returns, Redemption, and Recycling Rates (updated 5/10/10; posted 5/18/10) | PDF Version (262 KB).
  • California Refund Value
    Consumers pay CRV (California Refund Value) when they purchase beverages from a retailer, which is refunded when they redeem the containers at a recycling center. Effective January 1, 2007, CRV paid to consumers when they recycle containers at recycling centers increased to 5 cents for each beverage container less than 24 ounces and 10 cents for each container 24 ounces or greater.
  • To: All Program Participants
    Subject: AB 7 (8X) Implementation and Update on Proportional Reduction Payments (PDF, 312 KB)
    Posted: March 11, 2010
 

DORIIS: Division of Recycling Integrated Information System

The Division of Recycling Integrated Information System (DORIIS) is a free, Internet-based tool that will improve business processes.

DORIIS Update:
Online reporting begins in March.
Are you ready? More information on DORIIS.

Making Your Business Easier Through:

  • Reduced recycling industry costs.
  • Enhanced customer service.
  • Easier form submittal.
  • Online transaction and management reports.
  • Reduced paper use.

Questions? Call 1-800-RECYCLE

 
 
Last updated: July 27, 2010
Beverage Container Recycling, http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/
Contacts: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/Contacts.htm