California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has singed legislation to combat recycling theft. The legislation, AB 1778, requires junk dealers and recyclers to pay by check and obtain identifying information from people who turn in more than $100 worth of California redemption value (CRV) containers or $50 worth of newspapers.

“The Governor demonstrated his commitment to improving quality of life in our neighborhoods by signing these bills,” said Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who authored the bill, in a press release. “Together with his signature earlier this year to crack down on graffiti vandalism, Governor Schwarzenegger is helping San Francisco, San Mateo and communities around our state address the real concerns of our residents.”

The law will go into effect Jan., 1, 2009 and subjects dealers or recyclers to fines of up to $5,000.