Looking to Recycle Cans?

CALIFORNIA REDEMPTION VALUE OR CRV

In 1986 the State of California enacted a program that places a deposit on certain beverage containers, which is paid at the time of purchase by the consumer in the State of California. This deposit is then reimbursed to the consumer when that container is taken to a recycler as an incentive to keep containers out of the landfill.

On top of the return of this deposit, the recycler generally adds to the price a “Scrap Value” which is the amount the recycler can get for the sale of the container whether it be Aluminum, Plastic or Glass.

Main Street Fibers processes over 40 million pounds of CRV material a year and as a Certified Processor for the State of California buys from 100’s of smaller Recyclers and Buy-Back Centers all over Southern California.

Not all containers have California Redemption Value and therefore are not eligible for the reimbursement of the deposit.

Some Examples of Non California Redemption Containers Are:

  • Containers not purchased in the State of California.
  • Containers not clearly labeled with CA Value, CRV Value or California Redemption Value.
  • Milk Jugs, Liquor bottles, Wine bottles, Oil and Detergent containers, Glass jars and containers containing 100% Juice.
  • New pre-consumer containers that the deposit has not been paid on in the store.

ALUMINUM CANS OR UBC (USED BEVERAGE CONTAINERS)

Consists of used aluminum cans free of mud, dirt and other contaminants.

When you recycle cans, there is a 100 lb daily limit on CRV aluminum.

PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES

Plastic beverage bottles will have a number with a triangle around it on the bottom of the bottle, indicating the type of plastic the container is made from. Plastic should be separated by the type of plastic it is — #1 through #7.

  • #1 PET -Plastic bottles — examples: soda, single serving water and sports drinks. Identified by a #1 with a triangle around it.
  • #2 HDPE Plastic — examples: milk jugs, water jugs, juice containers, detergent and oil bottles. Identified by a #2 with a triangle around it. Detergent and oil bottles must be clean and free of residue.
  • #3 PVC Vinyl: California Redemption containers only. Identified by a #3 with a triangle around it.
  • #4 LDPE: California Redemption containers only. Identified by a # 4 with a triangle around it.
  • #5 Polypropylene: California Redemption containers only. Identified by a #5 with a triangle around it.
  • #6 Polystyrene: California Redemption containers only. Identified by a #6 with a triangle around it.
  • #7 multiple types of Plastic mixed together to form 1 container: California Redemption containers only. Identified by a #7 with a triangle around it.

GLASS — GLASS BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

Consists of soda, beer, sparkling water, jars, wine and liquor containers. Glass food jars must be rinsed and free of residue. We do not accept ceramic, house ware drinking glass, mirrors, Pyrex, safety and window glass.

There is a 1000 lb. daily limit on CRV glass.