What is the California Redemption Value (CRV) Program

CRV - which is short for California Redemption Value - is our state’s way of helping make sure beverage containers are recycled instead of thrown in the trash or left behind as litter.

It’s a fact: containers that have CRV are twice as likely to be recycled as those that don’t. And with 16.5 billion aluminum, glass and plastic containers now carrying the CRV label each year, Californians have a lot of incentive to recycle.

It all starts with a payment made to the California Department of Conservation by beverage distributors on each beverage container sold in the state. The idea here is that manufacturers have a responsibility to reduce the amount of waste their products create. This cost is passed on to the retailer and eventually reaches the consumer at the checkout stand in the form of CRV, 5 cents on containers less than 24 ounces, 10 cents on containers 24 ounces or greater.

When consumers return their empty beverage containers to certified recycling centers, they recoup the CRV. At the end of the line, the Department of Conservation repays the recycling centers out of the money that was paid in at the beginning by the beverage distributors.

Even if you don’t take your bottles and cans to a recycling center, it’s important to recycle them. Many people use curbside recycling at home and take the time to find a recycling bin when out and about. The CRV will be collected by whomever picks up the recyclable materials and can help offset the cost of collection. All of which helps keep bottles and cans out of our landfills and ensures a more beautiful, less littered California.

For CRV locations in western Riverside County and education on recycling visit earth911.com.

What is subject to CRV?

  • Beer and malt beverage containers (for example: Budweiser, Coors, Corona, Heineken, Zima)
  • Wine coolers and distilled spirit coolers containers (for example: Franzia Wine Coolers, Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers, Smirnoff Ice Spirit Coolers)
  • Carbonated fruit drink containers (for example: Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, Welch’s Sparkling Grape)
  • Noncarbonated fruit drink container that contain any percentage of fruit juice (for example: Hi-C, Margarita Mix, V8 Splash)
  • Carbonated water containers, including soda and carbonated mineral water (for example: Crystal Geyser Sparkling Mineral Water, Arrowhead Sparkling Water)
  • Coffee and tea beverage containers (for example: Starbucks Frappuccino Coffee, Arizona Iced Tea, Celestial Seasoning Tea)
  • Noncarbonated water containers, including noncarbonated mineral water. (for example: Arrowhead Distilled Water, Sparkletts Spring Water, Calistoga Mountain Spring Water, Evian)
  • Carbonated soft drink containers (for example 7-Up, Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Sprite)
  • Noncarbonated soft drink containers (for example: Kool Aid Bursts, SoBe Lizard Fuel, Yoohoo Chocolate Drink)
  • Vegetable juice containers (16 oz and under only) (for example: V8 Vegetable Juice, Hollywood Carrot Juice, Campbell’s Tomato Juice)
  • “Sport” drink containers (for example: All Sport, Chiquita Sports Blast, Gatorade)

Containers that are not subject to CRV:

  • Milk, medical food, nutritional supplements, infant formula, wine, 100% fruit juice in containers 46 ounces or more, vegetable juice above 16 oz.

How much is CRV?

  • CRV is 5 cents on containers less than 24 ounces and is 10 cents on containers 24 ounces or larger.


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