Beverage Container Recycling Information       

Effective July 29, 2004 the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 5, Section 2535(b),  reads as follows:  "For deliveries to a recycling center, except reverse vending machines:
(1) The consumer has the option of being paid based on count for up to 50 empty beverage containers of each material type.    (2) The recycler may pay based on count for all deliveries of empty beverage containers received from consumers."

This means that a customer may deliver up to 50 aluminum, 50 glass, 50 bi-metal, and 50 plastic empty CRV containers per transaction and request to be paid by count for each of the beverage containers. After the initial 50 containers, it is up to the recycling center whether they continue to count, or they may choose to pay by weight for the remainder of the material.  

A customer can make more than one visit per day to a recycling center with a load of 50 empty CRV containers and request to be paid by count for each of the beverage containers.

Certified CRV Recycling Center operators are responsible for informing their employees of this regulation. Non-compliance with this regulation may result in fines, penalties or possible decertification. The Department of  Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Division of Recycling will respond to consumer complaints regarding non-compliance with this regulation.

CalRecycle General Program Information

Find a CRV beverage container recycling center near you

Most beverages other than milk, medical food, infant formula, wine, and distilled spirits packaged in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal containers are subject to California Refund Value (CRV), with the exception of 100% fruit juice in containers 46 ounces or more and 100% vegetable juice over 16 oz.

Most beverages other than milk, medical food, infant formula, wine, and distilled spirits packaged in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal containers are subject to California Refund Value (CRV), with the exception of 100% fruit juice in containers 46 ounces or more and 100% vegetable juice over 16 oz. Consumers can receive payment in the form of California Refund Value (CRV) by returning empty eligible beverage containers to certified recycling centers.  To learn which beverages are covered by CRV, select this link: Beverages subject to California Refund Value (CRV).

Consumers pay California Redemption Value (CRV) when they purchase beverages from a retailer, and receive CRV refunds when they redeem the containers at a recycling center.  CRV is 5 cents for each beverage container less than 24 ounces and 10 cents for each container 24 ounces or greater.

Did you know there’s a way to get your beverage container recycling refunds on a per-container basis instead of by weight

That’s right, California law allows you the option of being paid based on count instead of weight for up to 50 empty beverage containers of each material type.

This means you can bring up to 50 aluminum, 50 glass, 50 plastic, and 50 bi-metal California Redemption Value (CRV) containers in a single visit and request to be paid by count.

Recycling centers are required to comply with this rule, found in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 5, Section 2535(b), and thus pay you the full CRV redemption of 5 cents or 10 cents on each container. Just be sure that you inform the site attendant of your load content and how you would like to receive payment before you hand over your load.

Any consumer who has been denied this right by a recycling center can file a complaint via email or by calling 1-800-RECYCLE.

You may also contact the Division of Weights & Measures of the County's Department of Agriculture at (925) 646-5250 if you believe you have received less than you should have for your recyclables.

If you’re recycling more than 50 containers of any one material type, the decision to pay by count or weight is under the authority of the recycling center operator. Please make sure that your containers are whole and free of contaminants such as dirt, excessive liquid or other foreign substances.

For more Important information regarding Consumer Refunds visit: CalRecycle