Processors

Processors buy empty beverage containers from:

Certified recyclers
Drop-off or collection
Community service
Curbside programs

They pay these programs, at a minimum, the CRV payment plus possibly a scrap price.
In addition to buying materials from recyclers, processors prepare recyclable materials for sale to end-users, where recyclable materials are converted into new products.

Alternative Reporting Methods

Processors and recycling centers can report material purchases to CalRecycle using an alternative method.
Processors and recyclers must submit a completed application for the specific reporting method they want approved.
There are two alternative methods:

Glass Cleaning. Claiming CRV on loads of glass with greater than 10% contamination [14 CCR, Section 2425 (h)].
Material Allocation. Used in lieu of completing a separate shipping report for each delivery of material purchased from multiple:
- Curbside programs
  - Curbside Allocation Application (CalRecycle 756)
- Dropoff or collection programs
- Community service programs
  [14 CCR, Section 2425 (g)]

CalRecycle considers each proposed alternative methodology application and issues a written approval or denial within forty-five (45) calendar days of receipt.

Get Email Updates About BCRP Processors

See all CalRecycle lists and previous messages.

Notices

Visit the Beverage Container Recycling Program’s Official Notices page for communications related to:

Official Notices

Data Tools

Beverage Container Recycling Program Locator (updated continuously)
Beverage Container Programs searchable data: Recyclers, Processors, Dropoff or Collection Programs, Community Service Programs, Curbside Programs, Agencies.

Glass Cleaning Application

The Glass Cleaning Process application is how a processor requests and gets approval for an alternative method of preparing shipping reports (DR6) for payment.
The Glass Cleaning Process Application is needed for processors purchasing commingled glass:

With residual or other contamination levels greater than 10% by weight that are eligible for refund value
That is from:

- Certified dropoff or collection programs, including a “waste reduction facility,”
- Certified community service programs, or
- Registered curbside programs (CS).

Processors can receive program payments on this material if:

The glass can be cleaned to 10% or less contamination by weight and
They have an approved Glass Cleaning Process.

To apply, fill out the Glass Cleaning Process Application (CalRecycle 742).

Submit your application to:

Division of Recycling
Statistical Information Section
1001 I Street 9th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Email: MarketInformation@CalRecycle.ca.gov

Or call (916) 323-5778 regarding questions.

Important Information

To: All Certified Processors
Subject: Notice of Entities on Prepayment Controls Updated Weekly
Posted: April 25, 2025
To: All Certified Processors
Subject: Alternative Methods for Preparing Shipping Reports
Posted: September 27, 2018
To: All Certified Recycling Centers and Processors
Subject: CalRecycle Seeking Public Mattress Drop-off Collection Locations
Posted: October 17, 2017
To: All Certified Processors
Subject: Common Areas of Noncompliance By Processors
Posted: September 18, 2017
- FECHA: 18 de septiembre de 2017
  A: Todos los Procesadores Certificados
  TEMA: Áreas de Incumplimiento Comunes por Procesadores

To: All Certified Processors
Subject: Implementation of Beverage Container Recycling Processor Oversight Program
Posted: November 18, 2015
To: All Certified Processors
Subject: Importation of Single-Stream Recyclable Materials That Include Imported Empty Beverage Containers
Posted: November 12, 2014
To: All Certified Processors
Subject: Information Associated with Persons Importing Empty Beverage Container Material
Posted: November 12, 2014
– Attachment: Importers Reporting Shipments to CalRecycle, February 2025. Posted: March 27, 2025
– Attachment: Imported Materials Destination List, February 2025. Posted: March 27, 2025
– Previous: Imported Materials Destination List and Imported Material List

Workshops

Public Workshop–Scrap Value Reporting Requirements & Procedures, Posted May 23, 2017. Workshop date: June 6, 2017.
Second in a series of Beverage Container Recycling Program Reform Workshops, Posted August 10, 2012. Workshop date: August 21, 2012.
Beverage Container Recycling Program Reform Workshop, Posted July 5, 2012. Workshop date: July 10, 2012.
Reporting Requirements and Payment Prohibitions Related to Out-of-State and Other Ineligible Containers, Posted April 16, 2012. Workshop date: April 26, 2012.
Glass Cleaning Workshop Part III, Posted April 13, 2012. Workshop date: April 30, 2012.
Glass Cleaning Workshop Part II, Posted January 12, 2012. Workshop date: Jan.18, 2012.
Upcoming Public Workshop: Alternative Methodology for Glass Cleaning, Posted November 2, 2011. Workshop date: Nov. 9, 2011.
Workshop on Regulatory Changes, Curbside Registration Renewal, and Fraud Prevention Program, Posted March 2, 2010
- Curbside Program Registration and Renewal Workshop (Presentation) March 9, 2010
- Regulatory Changes (Presentation) March 9, 2010
- Overview/Status of Division of Recycling Fraud Prevention Program (Presentation) March 9, 2010

Notice of Disposal

Notice of Disposal requires processors to submit to CalRecycle a written notice if they intend to dispose of empty beverage containers that are part of the CRV program. (California Code Regulations Title 14, Section 2410)

CalRecycle has 10 days to review the request.
Processors cannot dispose of beverage containers without written authorization.

CalRecycle 847: Rejection and Request to Dispose of Empty Beverage Containers

Publications

Informational Flier: Change to the Daily Load Limits Allowed to be Redeemed at Certified Recycling Centers by Consumers (English)
Folleto Informaciónal: Nuevos Límites de Carga Diarios que Consumidores Podrán Redimir en Centros de Reciclaje Certificados (Spanish)
Informational Flier: CRV Only–It’s the Law (English)
Folleto Informaciónal: Solamente CRV–Es la Ley (Spanish)
Rejection and Disposal Request Form for Processors (Updated August 25, 2015)

Other Information

Beverage Container Recycling Program Locator (updated continuously)
Beverage Container Programs searchable data: Recyclers, Processors, Dropoff or Collection Programs, Community Service Programs, Curbside Programs, Agencies.
Learn how to report fraudulent recycling activities.

For more information, visit Beverage Container Recycling Home