Recycling is in Your Hands!
Per-Container Redemption vs. By Weight
Customers may request to be paid per container for up to 50 California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers of each material type per transaction.
For example:
- 50 glass
- 50 aluminum
- 50 plastic
Customers can also be paid by weight. Daily load limits of empty CRV beverage containers are:
- 100 pounds each for aluminum and plastic and
- 1,000 pounds for glass
Anyone who has been denied this right by a recycling center can file a complaint via email or by calling 1-800-RECYCLE.
Redeem Clean CRV Containers
Make sure your containers are whole and free of contaminants such as dirt, liquid, or other substances.
If you are paid by weight, make sure the load contains only eligible CRV beverage containers.
Non-CRV Materials
State law requires recycling centers to pay CRV refunds for loads that contain ONLY eligible CRV beverage containers.
Non-CRV materials must be removed from the load, or the recycling center may reject the load or pay only the scrap value for the material.
For All Beverages
5¢ CRV
Less than 24 oz.
- Glass
- Aluminum
- Plastic
- Bimetal Containers
For All Beverages
10¢ CRV
24 oz. or More
- Glass
- Aluminum
- Plastic
- Bimetal Containers
Wine and Distilled Spirits
25¢ CRV
- Bag-in-Box
- Multi-Layer Pouch
- Paperback Carton
- Plastic Pouch
Most beverages other than milk, infant formula, and medical food have a CRV fee.
Visit the Changes to the Beverage Container Recycling Program page for more information.
Where does this money come from? The CRV fee is added to the price of the beverage when you buy it. You get the CRV fee back when you bring containers to a recycling center or a participating retailer.
The CRV from containers placed in curbside or public recycling bins is claimed by the organization that collects the bins.
Where do I go? California has about 1,200 recycling centers all over the state. Enter your ZIP code to find the one nearest you. Some retailers also redeem CRV.
Are recycling centers operated by the State of California? No, recycling centers are not owned or operated by the State of California.
All recycling centers choose and must post their days and hours of operation. Contact your local recycling center for their days and hours.
If you would like to report a recycling center closure or file a formal complaint about a certified recycling center, or call 1-800-RECYCLE.
Payment of CRV
Revised rates for aluminum, glass, plastic, and bi-metal beverage containers were effective January 1, 2025.
All certified recycling centers must use the minimum per pound rates in the chart.
The number of containers paid per pound of CRV is based on the statewide average of containers reported per pound.
(PRC 14549.5)
Rates for All Recycling Centers
| Material Type | Containers Per Pound | Minimum Per Pound Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 29.7 | $1.65 |
| Glass | 1.87 | $0.102 |
| #1 PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) | 27.0 | $1.47 |
| #2 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) | 8.4 | $0.63 |
| #3 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) | 9.70 | $0.48 |
| #4 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) | 39.5 | $1.98 |
| #5 PP (Polypropylene) | 10.9 | $0.55 |
| #6 PS (Polystyrene) | 109.5 | $5.47 |
| #7 Other Plastic | 3.1 | $0.31 |
| Bimetal | 8.2 | $0.41 |
| WDS - Multi-Layer Pouch* | 33.0 | $8.25 |
| WDS - Bag-in-Box | 1.66 | $0.41 |
| WDS - Paperboard Carton | 15.18 | $3.79 |
For more information, visit Beverage Container Recycling Home