CalRecycle has 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
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.
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.
YouTube (00:04:57) | Transcript
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.
- 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.
YouTube (1:52:19) | Transcript
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.
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- 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.
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- 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 491 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.
Jurisdictions
Eligible jurisdictions must meet at least one of the following criteria as of the effective date of the pilot project application:
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- 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:
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- 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.
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- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
1. If I’m interested in the new recycling pilot project program (pilot program), or have questions about it, who do I contact first?
Please contact RCpilot@calrecycle.ca.gov.
2. What is the new pilot program?
SB 458 authorized a new beverage container recycling pilot program. This new pilot program allows cities, counties, and companies to partner together to open new and innovative types of redemption opportunities to serve areas that do not have enough beverage container recycling locations. These innovative recycling centers can be mobile recycling centers (RCs), stationary staffed RCs, reverse vending machines (RVM), pick-up services, stationary drop-off sites, or combinations of these. If you have an innovative recycling center idea not listed here, please contact us to see if it is allowable under the pilot program.
For more information, contact RCpilot@calrecycle.ca.gov.
3. Where can I read a copy of the pilot program legislation and regulations?
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- Statute and regulations
- SB 458 (Wiener, Chapter 648, Statutes of 2017) (established the pilot program)
- AB 54 (Ting, Chapter 793, Statutes of 2019) (revised the pilot program)
- AB 128 (Ting, Chapter 21, Budget Act of 2021) (revised the pilot program)
- AB 148 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 115, Statutes of 2021) (revised the pilot program)
4. Where can I read a copy of the pilot program regulations?
5. Where can I get copies of pilot project application forms?
To start the pilot program application process, please contact RCpilot@calrecycle.ca.gov.
6. Do I need to get permission from my city or county to participate in the CalRecycle pilot program?
Yes. The jurisdiction itself must have an approved pilot project and will be required to authorize a pilot project recycler in order for the recycler to obtain certification. Additionally, CalRecycle strongly encourages all businesses and companies to contact their local jurisdiction (city or county) to confirm local rules, regulations, and ordinances related to recycling center zoning requirements, operational requirements, and business license requirements.
7. What should I do if my city or county will not allow me to operate a pilot project recycling program?
The beverage container recycling pilot program is a voluntary program, and as a result, jurisdictions are not required to participate. However, if you want to work with a jurisdiction that meets the eligibility requirements, please contact us so that we can reach out to the jurisdiction to explain the possible benefits of participation.
Please contact RCpilot@calrecycle.ca.gov.
8. How many pilot projects, or pilot project recyclers, can CalRecycle approve at any one time?
According to SB 458, CalRecycle may approve up to five (5) pilot projects to operate at one time. CalRecycle must approve all pilot projects by January 1, 2022.
However, pilot project recyclers that serve the pilot projects are not limited in number and CalRecycle can continue to approve recycler applications for the duration of the pilot program.
9. Where can a pilot project recycler be located?
A pilot project recycler may serve an urban area, rural area, or both. A pilot project recycler may provide redemption opportunities anywhere within the pilot project area, whether in a Convenience Zone (CZ) or not.
10. Does the pilot program have a start date?
CalRecycle is currently accepting pilot project jurisdiction and recycler applications. CalRecycle has specific timelines to review and approve or deny pilot project applications.
11. Does the pilot program have an end date?
CalRecycle can approve pilot projects until June 30, 2025. The pilot project program concludes on June 30, 2026.
12. Will pilot project recyclers be eligible to receive handling fees?
Pilot project recyclers may be eligible to receive handling fees if all eligibility requirements are met, including, but not limited to:
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- Being certified, operational, and accepting and paying the refund value to consumers for all empty eligible beverage container material types.
- Per AB 54, for purposes of handling fee eligibility, a pilot project recycler may be located anywhere within a pilot project area.
13. Does a pilot project recycler have to be located at a dealer site in an urban area to qualify for handling fees?
No. The pilot program allows for a recycling center to not be located at a dealer site and still be eligible to receive handling fees, assuming they meet all the requirements.
14. For purposes of the pilot program, what is an unserved zone?
For the purposes of the pilot program, an unserved zone is any convenience zone that is not served by a recycling center.
15. Where can I get other questions about the pilot program answered?
Please contact RCpilot@calrecycle.ca.gov.
16. What significant changes have been made to the Pilot Program?
The pilot project program allows for CalRecycle to authorize redemption methods as designed by the local government(s) and pilot project recyclers that these partnerships feel will best serve their unique communities. It is an opportunity to move away from the “one size fits all” method of redemption used in California since the 1980s.
As the pilot program was developed, adjustments to the original authorizing legislation (SB 458, Wiener, Chapter 648, Statutes of 2017) were needed to best serve the people of California. With interest from jurisdictions in other areas of the state that could benefit from customized redemption opportunities, the Legislature realized that extending the sunset date and adding more pilots would be needed. This additional time helped to offset the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic that created unanticipated challenges delaying the pilots’ abilities to become operational. These changes allow CalRecycle to take a more comprehensive look at these new beverage container redemption methods. These changes were made through the legislation referenced below.
AB 54 (Ting, Chapter 793, Statutes of 2019):
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- Extended the deadline for jurisdictions to be authorized for a pilot to January 1, 2022 and extended the operational end date for pilots to July 1, 2022.
- Allowed pilot project recyclers to operate redemption locations anywhere within a pilot project area, whether inside or outside of a Convenience Zone (CZ).
- Allowed pilot project recyclers to be eligible for handling fees anywhere within the pilot project area.
- Adjusted requirements for days and hours of pilot project operation.
- Provided the opportunity to apply for a grant to assist with the funding of pilot projects.
AB 128 (Ting, Chapter 21, Budget Act of 2021): Provided additional funding for new or existing pilot projects.
AB 148 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 115, Statutes of 2021): Expanded the number of pilot projects and extended the timeline for the pilot project program through June 30, 2026.
Other Information
- Beverage Container Recycling Program Locator (updated continuously)
Beverage Container Programs searchable data: Recyclers, Processors, Dropoff or Collection Programs, Community Service Programs, Curbside Programs, Agencies. - Learn how to report fraudulent recycling activities.
- Handling Fees – CalRecycle Home Page
- Convenience Zone status report
For more information, visit Beverage Container Recycling Home