Unlike traditional bottle bills, the California program utilizes the existing public, private and non-profit recycling infrastructure. The same infrastructure that handles most other recyclables, including non-redemption value glass and plastic. As a result, the program compliments, rather than competes, with these programs.

By not utilizing beverage distributors, the program eliminates the need for expensive and pointless sorting of beverage containers by brand and distributor.

As a result, consumers have several recycling options. They can return containers for recycling and receive the redemption value at either a supermarket-based recycling center or any of the other privately operated recycling centers. Alternatively, they can 'donate' the containers to a non-profit recycling program which then receives the redemption value. Finally, they can leave the containers in their curbside recycling program—while they may forego the direct payment of redemption value under this option, the redemption value is retained by the curbside recycling program where the revenue is used to help offset the cost of providing the curbside recycling service.

While the program does require most large beverage retailers to either take containers back inside the store or establish parking lot-based recycling centers, it is interesting to note that, from the beginning, most beverage container recycling (55% to 65%) has occurred at pre-existing private sector recycling centers. The supermarket-based recyclers account for about 25% of beverage container recycling, while the balance—about 20% overall, is handled by curbside recyclers.

Not surprisingly, just 6% of high value aluminum cans are collected through curbside, while 25% to 35% of plastic is collected at curbside.

The program has been particularly helpful to curbside recycling programs. The California law eliminates any need for separating CRV containers from non-CRV containers by annually establishing a statewide 'commingled rate' for each material and recycling program type. For example, the current 'commingled rate' for glass containers collected at curbside is 55%. That means it is presumed that 55% of total glass collected at curbside is CRV glass and redemption value is paid accordingly.

In addition to retained redemption value, curbside programs receive roughly $18 million annually in 'unredeemed' funds, which help offset program costs and monthly taxpayer charges for the service.

More Information

• Click here for a list of what bottles are included in the program.
• Find a recycling location near you!