Beverage Container Labeling Requirements

Beverages Included (“In”) in the Program:

The following beverages are considered covered under the Beverage Container and Litter Reduction Act (Act), §14504(a), and require a California Redemption Value (CRV) message if packaged in a covered container material and sold or transferred in California:

  • Beer and Malt Beverages
  • Wine Coolers 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
  • Noncarbonated water, including noncarbonated mineral water
  • Carbonated soft drinks
  • Noncarbonated Soft Drink
  • 100% Fruit Juice in containers that are under 46 ounces
  • 100% Vegetable Juice (16oz and under only)
  • “Sport” drinks

Effective January 1/2024,

  • Distilled spirits in any container including box, bladder or pouch or other material.
  • Wine, or wine from which alcohol has been removed, in whole or part, whether or not sparkling or carbonated, in any container including box, bladder or pouch or other material

Beverages Excluded (“Out”) from the Program:

Pursuant to section 14504(b): “Beverage” does not include any of the following:

  • With the exception of wine and distilled spirits, any product sold in a container that is not an aluminum beverage container, a glass container, a plastic beverage container, or a bimetal container
  • Milk, medical food, or infant formula
  • One hundred percent fruit juice in containers that are 46 ounces or more in volume
  • One hundred percent vegetable juice in containers that are 16.1 ounces or more in volume

Labeling Information:

Beverage manufacturers are responsible for properly labeling beverage containers, which are determined to be “in” the program. A qualifying beverage container sold or offered for sale in the state must have one of the following five CRV messages and meet the minimum labeling requirements for placement, size, visibility etc. (see link below):

  • CALIFORNIA REDEMPTION VALUE
  • CA REDEMPTION VALUE
  • CALIFORNIA CASH REFUND
  • CA CASH REFUND
  • CA CRV

California Beverage Container Labeling. This flyer shows detailed labeling requirements.

Submitting your product/label for review:

In order to ensure that your container complies with the requirements listed above, we ask that an empty sample container for each beverage is sent to CalRecycle for verification. Upon determination, we will provide you with a letter showing what container labels were approved or not approved.

Please mail the product to:

CalRecycle
Beverage Container Certification & Registration Branch
Industry Services Section
Attn: Registration Unit
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Or you can email a copy of the entire label(s) (except for cans) in a digital format (.pdf) with the dimensions of the label(s) and container material type to Reg.CRVLabeling@Calrecycle.ca.gov.

In either case, be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and if applicable, your participant identification number.

Contact Information:

The requirements listed above do not cover every aspect of the law. It is the responsibility of the beverage manufacturer and distributor to read and understand the statute and all applicable regulations. Failure to comply with the statute (Act) and/or regulations may result in fines and possible civil penalties. If you need clarification, please call the Registration Unit at (916) 323-1835.

Resources

For more information contact: Beverage Container Program, https://calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/Contacts/