Q: What is CRV?
A: CRV stands for California Redemption Value. When you purchase beverages packaged in glass, plastic, or aluminum containers, the CRV is an additional recycling fee called the California Redemption Value.
When you return the eligible CRV beverage container to a local certified recycling center, you are refunded this recycling fee.
*Please note that out-of-state (not CA) Redemption Value cannot be refunded at certified recycling centers in California.
Q: What are eligible CRV beverage containers?
A: See list of eligible CRV beverage containers and list of non-eligible beverage containers here: Eligible CRV Beverage Containers. To be sure, check your beverage container labels for CA CRV, CA CASH REFUND, or CA Redemption Value and keep the labels on the containers.
Q: Do I need to prepare the eligible beverage containers before I take it to a certified recycling center?
A: The eligible beverage containers need to be clean, free of contaminants, and without excess liquids. Keep the labels on the containers. It is also advised to group together similar beverage types, such as plastic water bottles for one group and aluminum soda cans for another group. You can call your local certified recycling center to ask about the center's specific beverage container preparation preferences, such as crushing or not crushing aluminum soda cans.
Q: How am I refunded the CRV?
A: When you take your eligible CRV beverage containers to a certified recycling center, the recycling center may receive your collection as a per pound refund or on an individual eligible beverage container basis. You can contact your local certified recycling center beforehand to ask for the center's preferred refund method (by weight or individual) and hours of operation.
The current rate per pound is linked here: January 2021 Per Pound CRV Rate.(PDF, 30KB)
The current rate per individual beverage containers are:
5 cents for containers less than 24 oz.
10 cents for containers more than 24 oz.
*Please note there is a limit of 50 containers per material type.
Q: Can a recycling center pay less than refund value?
A: Yes, the certified recycling centers are independent businesses, non-profit/community organizations, or local government facilities. Certified recycling centers assess beverage containers brought to the facility for potential contamination (dirt, liquid, other substance). If the containers are deemed contaminated by the recycling center, the recycling center may pay less than the standard refund value to account for the weight of excess substances.
Q: Where can I find more information about the Beverage Container Recycling Program?
A: You can visit the CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling Website for more information about the state-wide Beverage Container Recycling Program or call the City of South Gate at (323) 357-9657 for more information about your local Beverage Container Recycling Program.