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.