Questions about the Reusable Beverage Containers Grant Program grant application are accepted in writing only, no later than October 28, 2025. Similar or related questions may be grouped together or reworded for clarity and responded to as one question.
To receive a response, a question must pertain to clarification of the application, the requirements in the application process, and any Grant administration focused inquiries. Any questions submitted pertaining to other elements of the grant will not be posted on the official Question and Answer web page.
All questions and answers will be posted during the application period and are subject to updates. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check this website for the latest information regarding this grant cycle.
General | Eligibility | Certification | Eligible Projects | Funding | Application
General
- What is the intent of the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program?
The fundamental goal of the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program is to provide infrastructure and start-up costs for establishing a Bottle Washer Processor for glass reusable containers in the Beverage Container Recycling Program pursuant to Section 14539 of the Public Resources Code.
Eligibility
- Are existing companies applying for the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program required to already be in the recycling industry or can they be in any industry?
There is no requirement for an entity to be established within the beverage container recycling industry prior to the submission of an application for the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program. However, a bottle washer processor must acquire certification from CalRecycle as a result of the grant.
- Can a California-based organization team up with an out-of-state entity for this grant?
Yes, an applicant may partner with an out-of-state entity for their Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program application. However, the primary applicant must be based out of California, and the Bottle Washer Processor must also be an eligible entity within California to be certified as such
- Is the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program open to only existing companies?
No, new companies may apply for the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program. The new entity would need to be established prior to the submission of the application.
Certification
- How does an entity become a certified Bottle Washer Processor?
The entity identified as the Bottle Washer Processor will need to submit a Glass Cleaning Process Application (CalRecycle 742) through the Division of Recycling. Please refer to the Glass Cleaning Application within CalRecycle’s Processor webpage.
- Will a bottle washer processor need to become certified, and do I need to be certified to apply for the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program?
Yes, a bottle washer processor must acquire certification from CalRecycle, which will authorize a processor to satisfy the cancellation requirement by washing a reusable beverage container or transferring a reusable beverage container for subsequent washing to a processor. However, an applicant does not need to be certified in order to apply. Applicants are required to identify the entity that will be certified as a Bottle Washer Processor and a timeline for the certification of the Bottle Washer Processor to be secured.
Eligible Projects
- We are a California manufacturer of reusable glass bottled milk products looking to increase our throughput in our bottle washer by upgrading to a newer, larger model. Would this purpose be eligible for this grant?
This project mentioned would not be eligible because milk is not part of the Beverage Container Recycling Program. For the purpose of the Reusable Beverage Container Infrastructure Grant Program, all glass must be CRV material.
- Are only glass CRV containers eligible, or can they be made of aluminum, stainless steel, etc.?
No, only CRV glass beverage containers are eligible under the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program.
- Can the bottles be made from other reusable materials?
The beverage containers associated with the Bottle Washer Processor are required to be CRV glass beverage containers.
- What is the difference between reusable beverage containers and refillable beverage containers? Are refillable beverage containers eligible?
“Reusable beverage container” means a glass beverage container with a refund value established pursuant to Section 14560 and that is processed by a processor for subsequent washing for refill and sale by a beverage manufacturer. Pursuant to Section 14525, “refillable beverage container” means any aluminum beverage container, bimetal beverage container, glass beverage container, plastic beverage container, or other beverage container, holding 150 fluid ounces or less of beverage, which has a minimum deposit of three cents ($0.03), and which would ordinarily be returned to the manufacturer to be refilled and resold. Refillable beverage containers are ineligible for this program.
Funding
- Is this a reimbursement grant, or are the funds advanced (if awarded) at the beginning of the grant term?
Payments are made to the grantee on a reimbursement basis and only for eligible activities, products, and costs specifically included in the approved Work Plan and approved Budget. To be eligible for reimbursement, costs must be incurred and fully paid (payments must be cleared). All grant-funded costs must be incurred after receiving a Notice to Proceed and before the end of the Grant Term.
- Are bottle molds for manufacturing an allowable expense? If so, would they be considered “Equipment” or “Materials and Supplies”?
Bottle molds for manufacturing are not an allowable expense.
- Is the software used to report and track CRV Cancellation by recycling centers with written authorization by the Bottle Washer Processor an allowable expense under the ‘Software technology related to the project’ cost category?
The cancellation process for the glass reusable CRV containers would be conducted by the Bottle Washer Processor in part of the bottle washing process. Recycling Centers would not be able to cancel the material prior to it being received by the Bottle Washer Processor.
- Is software licensing for technology/software used to identify and sort reusable packaging an eligible expense if that software is implemented for sorting and CRV verification on-site at the Bottle Washer Processor washing facility?
Software for sorting and on-site CRV verification is not an eligible aspect of the bottle washing process. Equipment related to setting up a Bottler Washer Processor for reusable glass bottles (e.g., new bottle washer [parts/components for the system], software, forklift, office equipment) are considered eligible costs under the Program.
- Are training expenses (i.e. website development, printed materials, and posters) to educate those recycling centers with written authorization issued by the Bottle Washer Processor on how to identify accepted bottles, issue cancellations and utilize reporting software considered an allowable training expense? Is eligibility strictly limited to internal employee training?
No. Only training for the grantee’s employees on new equipment and certifications needed to implement the project and related to the Bottle Washer Processor would be considered eligible. Costs related to website development, printed materials, or posters would not be considered eligible training materials for employees. Also, activities directly related to Recycling Centers would not be within scope for the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program.
Application
- When are applications due for the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program?
Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on December 4, 2025.
- The RBI2 Procedures and Requirements require a ‘legally binding, long-term commitment of at least ten years for leased facilities. Can this 10 year requirement be satisfied by a lease with a shorter initial term but with multiple, legally binding options to renew that total 10 or more years (e.g., a 5-year initial term with two 3-year renewal options)? Or must the initial lease term be 10 years?
Yes, the lease may include an option to renew to encompass the ten-year period.
- For the RBI2 application, what specific level of CEQA documentation is required at the time of submittal to be considered responsive? For example, is a letter from the identified Lead Agency acknowledging the project and outlining a path to compliance (within 6 months of award notification) sufficient?
The application must contain proof that the applicant is in direct communication with the appropriate permitting agencies and has made adequate progress towards obtaining the required permits. This includes establishing a lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act permitting and include proof that the CEQA permitting process has been initiated by the lead agency. The applicant may also include a letter from the identified Lead Agency acknowledging the project and the outlined path to compliance within the Grant term. Additional supporting documents may include existing permits, letters of completeness, evidence of permit fees paid or evidence of filed documents (such as engineering plans, notices of exemption, environmental impact reports, or technical reports), and/or correspondence with the appropriate permitting agencies regarding the proposed project.