CalRecycle Toughens Container Redemption Rules to Thwart Scofflaws

CalRecycle has revised regulations aimed at making it harder to illegally redeem recyclables.

The Sacramento-based Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, known as CalRecycle, said in a news release that effective Jan. 1 that individuals can redeem substantially fewer bottles and cans in a single day at recycling centers under the California Redemption Value (CRV) program.

As a result, it will be more time consuming and risky for importers of out-of-state containers, which are not eligible for CRV refunds, and scavenger fleets illegally removing the contents of residential curbside recycling bins.

The new per-person, per-day limits are 100 pounds of aluminum or plastic CRV-elgible containers and 1,000 pounds of CRV glass. Previously, the limits were 500 pounds of aluminum or plastic, and 2,500 pounds of glass.
CalRecycle research indicates more than 99 percent of all transactions are for less than 80 pounds of aluminum and for clear plastic bottles.