Definitions Related to Beverage Distributors & Manufacturers

As defined by the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, includes any of the following products in liquid, ready-to-drink form that are intended for human consumption and are in containers made of glass, plastic, aluminum or bimetal: Beer and malt beverages; wine and distilled spirit coolers; carbonated fruit drinks; noncarbonated fruit drinks that contain any percentage of fruit juice; carbonated water, including soda and carbonated mineral water; coffee and tea beverages; vegetable juice in containers 16 ounces or less; noncarbonated water, including noncarbonated mineral water; carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks and “sport” drinks.

Effective January 1, 2024, the definition of beverage will include distilled spirits, wine, or wine from which alcohol has been removed, in whole or part, whether or not sparkling or carbonated.  Wine or distilled spirits in a box, bladder or pouch or similar container regardless of container material type, will also be included effective January 1, 2024.

“Beverage” does not include the following: one hundred percent fruit juice in containers 46 ounces or more; milk, medical food, or infant formula; one hundred percent vegetable juice in containers over 16 ounces;  milk, medical food, or infant formula; and with the exception of wine and distilled spirits in a box, bladder, or pouch from January 2024 onward, any beverage sold in a container that is not an aluminum beverage container, a glass beverage container, a plastic beverage container, a bimetal beverage container. (PRC 14504)

Means the individual, separate bottle, can, jar, carton, or other receptacle, however denominated, in which a beverage is sold, and which is constructed of metal, glass, or plastic, or other material, or any combination of these materials. Beverage container does not include cups or other similar open or loosely sealed receptacles.

Means that the redemption message is displayed so that it is easily found and read by consumers and recyclers. Each letter comprising the message is complete, legible, and cannot be readily obscured. Other factors include boldness, width, spacing, and location of lettering. The message must be distinguishable from refund messages of other states.

As used in reference to the redemption message lettering, means a clear differentiation in hue, value, and intensity with the background on which the redemption message appears, surrounding artwork, and other nearby printed information.

Means any person to whom something, especially goods, is handed over or, delivered.

Means every person who purchases a beverage (for his/her own consumption) in a beverage container from a dealer. “Consumer” includes, but is not limited to, a lodging, eating, or drinking establishment, and soft drink vending machines (PRC, Section 14508).

Is defined as a retail establishment that offers the sale of beverages in beverage containers to consumers. However, any lodging, eating, or drinking establishment, wine or distilled spirits tasting room licensed pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act , Division 9, section 23000 of the Business and Professions Code, or soft drink vending machine operator who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to consumers for consumption onsite shall not be deemed a dealer for purposes of this division, except that sales of beverages for offsite consumption are subject to section PRC 14560 (PRC 14510).