California has widened its beverage container recycling programme to cover more drink types and packaging, offering higher refund values to encourage more people to return used containers.
When Californians buy a drink—like soda, water, or beer—they pay a small deposit called the California Redemption Value, or CRV. This deposit can be claimed back by returning the empty container to a certified recycling centre or a participating retailer.
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The refund is meant to encourage recycling and reduce waste. As of now, the CRV is:
- 5 cents for containers smaller than 24 ounces
- 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger
- 25 cents for certain larger or less common packaging, such as wine pouches or boxed spirits
CRV applies to containers made from aluminium, glass, plastic, or bi-metal. From 1 January 2024, it also covers boxes, pouches, and bladders used for packaging wine, wine coolers, and distilled spirits—making it easier for more drink packaging to be recycled.
New beverage types and packaging now eligible
The state’s updated rules mean that people can now get CRV refunds for more than just soft drinks and beer. Wine, hard liquor, large juice bottles, and even boxed beverages are now included in the programme.
For instance, a three-litre box of wine—packaged in a cardboard shell with a plastic bladder inside—is now worth a 25-cent refund. This new tier was introduced to reflect the different handling costs and materials used in such packaging.
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By GlobalDataThese changes were introduced following new state laws, including Senate Bill 1013, which expanded the types of beverages covered, and Senate Bill 353, which added large fruit and vegetable juice containers to the programme from 2024 onwards.
Impact on recycling and the environment
California’s Beverage Container Recycling Program has helped recycle over 500 billion containers since it began in 1988. In 2023 alone, the state recycled nearly 19 billion containers, or over 400 per person.
By adding more types of containers to the list, state officials hope to increase those numbers further and reduce the number of beverage containers that end up in landfills or as litter.
However, funding remains a concern. CalRecycle, the agency that runs the programme, has warned of a projected $182 million shortfall in its 2024–25 budget.
To help keep the system running, lawmakers are adjusting how recycling centres are paid and offering extra support for rural areas where centres are more costly to operate.
Consumers urged to recycle for refunds
Despite the financial challenges, the goal remains clear: get more containers recycled and more CRV refunds back into the hands of Californians.
Consumers are encouraged to check whether their drink containers are eligible and to return them to certified centres or participating retailers to claim their deposits.
Even if the container doesn’t yet show a CRV label—some newer items won’t be marked until mid-2025—refunds are still available for eligible items under the current rules.
