Bottle & can return locations in California

California calls its deposit CRV.

• 5¢ for a can or bottle under 24 ounces
• 10¢ for one that is 24 ounces or more
• 25¢ for wine or liquor in a box, bag, pouch or carton (since January 1, 2024)

Most drinks sold in California get CRV. Look for the CRV label on the can or bottle. It covers:

• Beer and malt drinks
• Water, with or without bubbles
• Soda and fruit drinks
• Coffee and tea drinks
• Vegetable juice in 16 ounces or less
• 100% fruit juice under 46 ounces
• Wine and liquor (since 2024)

Recycling centers have these limits:

• Count: you can ask them to count up to 50 of each type (glass, aluminum, plastic, bimetal) per visit. Bigger loads are paid by weight.
• Weight: up to 100 pounds of aluminum, 100 pounds of plastic and 1,000 pounds of glass per day.

Not every store. Most people return CRV at state-certified recycling centers. A "convenience zone" is the area within 1 mile of a big supermarket (one that sells $2 million or more a year). If a zone has no recycling center, stores there must take returns or join a dealer group. Stores that do not take returns must post a sign with the nearest recycling center.

California's Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (Public Resources Code § 14500 and after). CalRecycle runs it.

Read the full law