How to Recycle Using the California Redemption Value

In 1986, the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act established the California Redemption Value, or CRV, for bottles and cans. This means that a small amount is added to the price of recyclable drink containers to encourage people to recycle: ten cents for containers of 24 ounces or more; five cents for smaller containers. When people take the cans and bottles to recycling centers, they get the money back as a California Refund Value, also known by the same acronym, CRV.

Things You'll Need

• Recyclable drink containers

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Instructions

• 1

  Collect aluminum, plastic, glass, or metal beverage containers marked with the CRV designation. On cans, it's usually near the pull tab. On bottles, it's often on the label by the nutritional information or the UPC code.

• 2

  Find a recycling center by looking at the state's Division of Recycling website or at the website for a major recycling company.

• 3

  Choose a time when the recycling center is likely to be less crowded, such as early in the morning. Some automated centers allow you to turn in containers even when no employee is attending the station.

• 4

  Decide whether you want to return the containers individually or in bulk. Try bulk if you have a lot of containers that have different sizes and materials or if you are in a hurry.

• 5

  If you turn in the containers individually at an automated center, place them on the conveyor belt bottom-first and push the green button when done. A receipt will print indicating how much refund value you have earned.

• 6

  Go to the location specified on the receipt to redeem your money.