California Sees Jump in Beverage Container Recycling

The California recycling rate for beverage containers increased to 76 percent for the six-month period of January to June 2008, up from 71 percent for the same period in 2007.

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment in a very short time,” said Bridgett Luther, director of the California Department of Conservation, in a press release. “Californians have really stepped up their recycling efforts and data shows we are on pace to set an all-time high for beverage container recycling volume in 2008. This means an all-time high in energy savings, natural resource conservation and greenhouse gas reductions.

Recycling rates for all types of beverage containers increased. Aluminum increased to 85 percent from 81 percent; glass rose to 79 percent from 71 percent; and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) increased to 63 percent from 58 percent.