CRV Recycling Center

There are 1,338 recycling centers statewide in California that buy back empty California Refund Value CRV beverage containers. Most beverages sold in glass, plastic, or metal other than milk, medical food, and infant formula are subject to CRV. The centers are required to be open a minimum of 30 hours per week, at least five days a week, and at least one weekend day. Consumers can receive refunds on a per-container basis for up to 50 aluminum, 50 glass, 50 plastic, and 50 bi-metal CRV containers, with payment options of 5 or 10 cents per container. It's important to ensure containers are clean and free of contaminants, and if recycling more than 50 containers of one material type, the payment method is determined by the recycling center operator. Visitors should be aware that the decision to pay by count or weight is at the discretion of the recycling center, and daily load limits apply for different materials. If a load includes ineligible containers, the center may reject the load or pay only scrap value.