Los Angeles, Ca
California introduces new ways to turn in bottles and cans for money
California is making an effort to get more people to recycle cans and bottles by providing millions in grants across the state to add more recycling sites and provide new methods.
The state agency CalRecycle recently awarded nearly $70 million for 37 projects in more than half of the state’s counties.
The state has long had its California Refund Value program, commonly known and printed on recyclable products as CRV, which refunds between 5 and 25 cents per container, depending on the type and size.
According to CalRecycle, the statewide beverage container recycling rate was 71% in 2023.
A CalRecycle document states that the program has resulted in a 68% recycling rate.
The new grants fund projects that include things like reverse vending machines, which scan containers that are fed into it and provide the CRV. Other ways include mobile recycling teams that can pop up at different places, and bag-drop sites.
In the announcement of the funds, CalRecycle said that grocery store chains Save Mart and Smart & Final will have reverse vending machines in 19 counties, and that “modernized recycling sites” will come to underserved communities in Butte, Imperial, Lassen, Mendocino and Merced counties.
“Innovative ways to recycle will help more Californians cash in their beverage containers and provide recycled materials for in-state remanufacturers,” CalRecycle Director Zoe Heller said in a statement. “These new sites will make redemption as simple as feeding containers into a machine or dropping off a bag of empty containers.”
CalRecycle said it expects in the coming year to provide more than $200 million in grant funds to collect, reuse and recycle containers.
California recently expanded its CRV program, with wine and liquor in a box, carton or pouch having a 25-cent value, and wine, liquor and juices packaged in glass, plastic, aluminum or bimetal having a 5-cent value if under 24 ounces, and a 10-cent value if 24 ounces or over.
About 20 people were detained Saturday during a large police response in Los Angeles’ Koreatown after authorities received reports of an armed man threatening people, officials said. Officers responded to the 3400 block of West 8th Street near Kingsley Drive on reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles Police […]
A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
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