Beverage Container Recycling
CalRecycle manages the California Beverage Container Recycling Program (BCRP), which includes a redeemable fee for certain containers.
What is California Redemption Value (CRV)?
Consumers pay a California Redemption Value (CRV) fee when they purchase beverages and receive CRV refunds when they redeem containers at a recycling center or retailer (called a dealer in the program).
Most CRV eligible beverages are packaged in:
- Aluminum
- Glass
- Plastic
- Bi-metal
The CRV refunds are:
- 5 cents for containers less than 24 ounces
- 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger
- 25 cents for wine or distilled spirits in a box, bladder, pouch, or similar container.*
*Wine and distilled containers of all kinds enter the program on Jan. 1, 2024.
Under 24oz. 5ȼ Refund | 24oz. or More 10ȼ Refund
Program News
- SB 1013 (Atkins, Chapter 610, Statutes of 2022) was approved by Governor Newsom on September 27, 2022, and became effective on January 1, 2023. This legislative bill brings wine and distilled spirits into the California Beverage Container Recycling Program, introduces new grant programs, expands the convenience zones, and significantly modifies the role of dealers in the BCRP.
- AB 793: Beverage Container Postconsumer Plastic Minimum Content Standard. Assembly Bill 793 (Ting and Irwin, Chapter 115, Statutes of 2020) requires beverages sold by a beverage manufacturer to have a postconsumer plastic recycled content standard of 15 percent beginning January 1, 2022, increasing to 25 percent in 2025 and 50 percent in 2030. For more information, follow this link to our Plastic Minimum Content Standards web page.
Californians have recycled more than
billion bottles and cans since 1988
Californians have recycled
billion containers just in 2022
More than 400 containers a person.
Over
%
of the beverages sold in California are in this program
Water, Soda, Fruit and Vegetable Juice, and Beer.
Find A Nearby Recycling Center
Just enter your ZIP code to find a bottle & can redemption center near you.
Beverage Container Recycling Facts
Download the Beverage Container Recycling Fact Sheet for facts related to calendar year 2021.
Eligible for CRV
- Beer and Malt Beverages
- Wine Coolers
- Carbonated Fruit Drinks,
Water or Soft Drinks - Noncarbonated Fruit
Drinks, Water, or Soft
Drinks - Coffee and Tea Beverages
- 100% Fruit Juice less than 46 oz.
- Vegetable Juice 16 oz. or less
Effective January 1, 2024
- Wine or distilled spirits (liquor) in almost any container, including:
-
- Boxes
- Bladders
- Pouches
-
Not Eligible for CRV
- Milk
- Medical Food
- Infant Formula
- 100% Fruit Juice 46 oz. or
more - 100% Vegetable Juice
more than 16 oz. - Food and Non-Beverage
Containers
When in Doubt
Check the label on the container!
- “California Redemption Value”
- “CA Redemption Value”
- “California Cash Refund”
- “CA CRV”
- “CA Cash Refund”
Per-Container Redemption vs. By Weight
Customers can ask to be paid by count for up to 50 CRV beverage containers of each material type per transaction:
- 50 glass
- 50 aluminum
- 50 plastic
Daily load limits of empty CRV beverage containers are:
- 100 pounds each for aluminum and plastic
- 1,000 pounds for glass
Complaints
- Beverage container recycling center complaints: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Retailers/dealers complaints: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Report fraudulent activity (toll free at 1-866-CANLOAD)
- Report noncompliance of beverage manufacturers or distributors: DORClientServices@calrecycle.ca.gov
Grants
- Beverage Container Recycling Grants: BevContainerGrants@calrecycle.ca.gov
- City/County Payment Program: CityCounty@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Local Conservation Corps Funding Program: BevContainerGrants@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Other Grants: BevContainerGrants@calrecycle.ca.gov
Questions
- Questions from existing (registered) Beverage Manufacturers and Distributors program participants: clientservices@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Questions from potential registration applicants (Beverage Manufacturers and Distributors, CRV Labeling, and Product Determination): reg.crvlabeling@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Questions from Beverage Dealers (Retailers):
- Option A, Option B, and related charges: DealerServices@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Sign requirements questions DealerSigns@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Questions about becoming a Certified Operator: DORCertFileRoom@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Recycler Education and Exams questions: RecyclerEducationAndExams@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Need information about starting a recycling center? opa@calrecycle.ca.gov
- School recycling/education questions: Schools@calrecycle.ca.gov
- Other beverage container recycling questions: opa@calrecycle.ca.gov.
Toll-Free: 1-800-RECYCLE
(916) 323-3836
Fax: (916) 327-2144