Beverage Container Recycling Program

California’s Beverage Container Recycling Program has recycled 482 billion bottles and cans since the Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act passed in 1986.

It sets a goal to reach an 80% recycling rate for all aluminum, glass, plastic, and bimetal beverage containers sold in California.

The program covers containers with these beverages:

Carbonated mineral and soda water and other similar carbonated soft drinks
Noncarbonated soft drinks
Wine coolers and distilled spirit coolers
Wine and distilled spirits (starting January 2024)
Beer and malt beverages
Noncarbonated water including noncarbonated mineral water

Sport drinks
Coffee and tea drinks
Vegetable juice in beverage containers (updated 2024)
Carbonated and noncarbonated fruit drinks with any percentage of fruit juice
100% fruit juices in containers (updated 2024)

The program does not regulate any beverage container type not specified in the law.

Flow of Consumer Funds through CRV Program

The program is funded by redemption fees paid to CalRecycle by beverage distributors for each beverage container sold in the state.
California Refund Value (CRV) fees get deposited in the California Beverage Container Recycling Fund.
This fund refunds recycling centers the CRV fee they pay to Californians who redeem their beverage containers.

CRV paid to consumers, effective January 1, 2007

$.05 per container less than 24 ounces
(aluminum, glass, plastic #1-7, or bimetal)
$.10 per container 24 ounces or larger
(aluminum, glass, plastic #1-7, or bimetal)

Redemption payments paid by distributors, effective July 1, 2007

$.05 per container less than 24 ounces
(aluminum, glass, plastic #1-7, or bimetal)
$.10 per container 24 ounces or larger
(aluminum, glass, plastic #1-7, or bimetal)

CRV paid to consumers and Redemption payment paid by distributors, effective January 1, 2024:

$0.25 per container for Wine and Distilled Spirits Sold in Boxes, Bladders, and Pouches
$0.25 per container for Wine and Distilled Spirit Coolers Sold in Boxes, Bladders, and Pouches