Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program (SB 458 - 2017) & (AB 54 - 2019)

Congratulations to all ten of our pilot program participants! We awarded the tenth and final spot in October 2023. If a participant should withdraw from the pilot program, we will update this page accordingly. Thanks to everyone for their participation.

Communities Can Create CRV Redemption that Works for Them

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Local jurisdictions can apply now to turn their recycling deserts into hubs for convenient bottle and can redemption with California’s Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Project Program. Not bound by the old rules of recycling, pilot projects allow more flexible operating requirements and customized redemption programs designed to meet a region’s unique needs.

5 New Pilot Projects and $10 Million in Funding

Encouraged by previously approved local pilots featuring at-home pickup service, bag-drop redemption and mobile recycling, Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature expanded the state’s Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program under the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget. The expansion:

Approved 5 additional local pilot programs.
Extended the current Pilot Program end date to June 30, 2026.
Allocated an additional $10 million to support local pilots.

Cities and counties can:

Apply for their own pilot.
Join pilot projects already running or,
Partner with other communities to form a regional pilot project jurisdiction.

Contact CalRecycle now to:

Obtain maps of potential pilot project service areas.
Get assistance to complete application documents.
Prepare a pilot program work plan and budget for CalRecycle approval.

Watch Now:

CalRecycle’s September 2021 webinar outlining eligibility requirements, funding assistance and the application/certification process for California’s Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Project Program.
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Pilot Project Program Emergency Regulations

The pilot project program regulations were amended to align with legislative amendments to the implementing statute, expand jurisdictional eligibility, and adjust the consumer redemption daily load limits. The Pilot Project Program Emergency Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on February 4, 2022. The regulations will remain in effect until January 1, 2027.

Existing Pilot Projects Increase Convenience in 12 California Cities

Under previous legislation (Senate Bill 458, Wiener, Chapter 648, Statutes of 2017 and Assembly Bill 54, Ting, Chapter 793, Statutes of 2019), CalRecycle approved 5 pilots to boost consumer redemption access in the following communities:

Mobile Recycling

Culver City’s Pilot Program: A mobile truck parks in different areas on different days, giving immediate cash payments.

Cupertino’s Pilot Program: A mobile truck and trailer parked at a set location on various days, providing immediate payment.

At-Home Pickup

Irvine’s Pilot Program: At-home and business pickup, offering to mail a check or make electronic payments after processing CRV.

Corona, Orange, and Rancho Santa Margarita’s Pilot Program: At-home and business pickup, offering to mail a check or make electronic payments after processing CRV.

Bag Drop-Off, Mobile Recycling and More

San Francisco’s Pilot Program: Multiple methods, including bag drop sites with later payment, mobile centers and permanent recycling centers.

Mendocino County and Fort Bragg’s Pilot Program: A mobile recycling program operating various days located at the Fort Bragg Food Bank and Caspar Community Center, offering payment by check.

Humboldt County Pilot Program: A mobile weigh and pay station in the communities of Willow Creek and Redway, giving immediate cash payment.

New Fixed Locations With Limited Hours

San Mateo County’s Pilot Program: 3 fixed CRV takeback locations with limited hours and on-site cash payments in 3 cities in San Mateo County.

- This regional partnership includes the City of Daly City, the City of Half Moon Bay, and the County of San Mateo (unincorporated).

Sonoma County’s Pilot Program: CRV fixed location sites with on-site cash payment in 5 cities in Sonoma County.

- This regional partnership includes the cities of Petaluma, Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, and Windsor.

Reverse Vending Machines and More

Sacramento County’s Pilot Program: In a climate controlled 5,000 square foot building, California RVM Solutions will be offering multiple methods of CRV redemption including: reverse vending machines, bulk-feed technology systems, bag drop, and over the counter redemption. Consumers can be paid electronically via an app, cash, or donation to a local charity. They will be serving communities in the unincorporated areas of Sacramento county.

California’s Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986

Californians recycled over 426 billion bottles and cans since the start of the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986.

Consumers pay California Redemption Value (CRV) when they purchase eligible beverages from a retailer. They receive CRV refunds when they redeem the containers at a state certified recycling center or obligated beverage retailer.

CRV fee:

- 5 cents for eligible containers less than 24 ounces.
- 10 cents for eligible containers 24 oz. or more.

California’s Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program

The Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program aims to increase the convenience of recycling in underserved areas by allowing greater flexibility for how recycling centers choose to redeem beverage containers.

- Senate Bill 458 (Wiener, Chapter 648, Statutes of 2017) authorized CalRecycle to approve up to five pilot projects proposed by jurisdictions to provide convenient beverage container redemption in both urban and rural areas that do not have enough recycling opportunities.
- Assembly Bill 54 (Ting, Chapter 793, Statutes of 2019) made changes to the program (SB 458) to allow for greater flexibility and to provide funding to support pilot projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jurisdictions

Eligible jurisdictions must meet at least one of the following criteria as of the effective date of the pilot project application:

- Had at least 6 unserved convenience zones.
- Had at least 75 percent of all convenience zones unserved.
- Was located in a region designated as “rural.”

Eligible proposed pilot project must serve at least one of the following:

- At least 3 unserved convenience zones.
- One or more convenience zone impacting at least 30 dealers.
- A rural region.

Once pilot programs commence, all convenience zones within the program’s area will be considered served, relieving CRV dealers of their obligation to either redeem containers in-store or pay a $100-per-day fee.

Pilot Project Recyclers

Pilot project recyclers must work with the approved jurisdictions and receive certification from CalRecycle.

- A pilot project in a city/county could include more than one site, pilot project recycler, or approach.
- Compared to traditional certifications, pilot project recyclers have additional flexibility, including reduced hours of operation, more flexible consumer payment methods or alternative methods of redemption, such as stationary drop-off locations or mobile collection programs.
- In addition to CRV reimbursement, recyclers operating within a pilot project may be eligible for other program payments:
  - Handling fees, paid on a per-container basis, to pilot project recyclers.
  - Processing payments, paid on a per-pound basis, to program operators to help cover the costs of collecting and recycling materials that would not otherwise be economic to handle.

Resources

For more information, visit Beverage Container Recycling Home

Beverage Container Recycling Pilot Program (SB 458 – 2017) & (AB 54 – 2019)