Beverage Container Recycling Loan Program
Assembly Bill 179 (Ting, 2022) established the Beverage Container Recycling Loan Program which supports and expands California’s beverage container recycling by providing financial assistance to eligible organizations.
The Beverage Container Recycling Loan Program was approved in November 2024.
The program helps develop and improve recycling facilities that process empty beverage containers into valuable materials.
With loans ranging from $3 million to $10 million, the program funds projects that:
- Increase recycling capacity and efficiency
- Create new certified processing facilities in areas without many redemption sites
- Convert recyclable beverage containers into intermediate or finished products
Eligible projects must focus on
- California Redemption Value-eligible plastic and glass beverage containers and
- Prioritize maximizing recovery of recyclable materials
Loans can be used for:
- Machinery
- Equipment
- Working capital and
- Facility improvements
Eligible Applicants
- Private, for-profit entities
- Nonprofit organizations (except private schools)
- Local government entities
- Cities, counties, and cities and counties
- Regional or local sanitation agencies, waste agencies, and joint powers
Application
Application documents are available by request, by form request with the RMDZ form, or by email Loans@Calrecycle.ca.gov.
Program News
- The loan interest rate is approximately 4.00% but varies depending upon a loan applicant’s financial ability to qualify for a loan.
- For updates, send an email to Loans@Calrecycle.ca.gov
Funding
$30 million allocation from the California Beverage Container Recycling Fund.
Eligible Projects
New Certified Processing Facilities
Processors buy empty beverage containers from:
- Certified recyclers
- Drop-off or collection
- Community service
- Curbside programs
They prepare these recyclable materials for sale to end-users where recyclable materials are converted into new products.
- Examples of end-users:
- Beverage containers beneficiating production plants
- Fiberglass mills
New facilities are those being established at a new location.
Eligible Feedstock
California-sourced California Redemption Value-eligible Plastic and Glass Beverage Containers
For full eligibility criteria, see the Beverage Container Recycling Loan Program Criteria.
The Beverage Container Loan Program prioritizes projects that address underserved areas of the state.
